Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is welcome to apply for
a visa to America, a senior US official said on Thursday, noting that the Obama
administration would review the BJP leader's case on its merits.
"There is no change (in US policy)...he (Modi) is
welcome to apply. All visa decisions are made on a case by case basis, and I'm
not going to prejudge it here," State Department spokesperson Victoria
Nuland told reporters at her daily news conference.
Responding to questions on the invitation extended to Mr
Modi by a delegation of US lawmakers last week, Ms Nuland said there is no
change in US policy.
"With regard to Mr Modi, our lines have not changed
here.
He is welcome to apply," she said.
"Every visa is adjudicated on the merits and in the
context of US law individually," Ms Nuland said when asked if the State
Department will issue a visa to an individual when invited by a Congressman or
a group of lawmakers.
"With regard to our congressional delegation that was
in Gujarat, visits like this do help support a strengthening of business to
business ties, of people to people ties across India, in Gujarat. So from our
perspective, the more Congressional delegations that visit India and understand
its dynamism and diversity, the more likely we are to continue to deepen those
important ties," she said.
The delegation, led by Republican member in House of
Representatives from Illinois Aaron Schock, had called on Mr Modi on March 29.
The delegation members also invited Mr Modi to US.
Mr Modi has been denied visa since 2005 by the US over the
issue of 2002 post-Godhra riots.
