"He (Modi) is a prominent political thinker in India. And, I don't believe United States is in a position, thousands of miles away, to have a magisterial opinion about what happens here in India....That's upto the Indians...," Blackwill said when asked by the reporters about US's denial of visa to Modi.
"So, my own view is that he should be issued a visa, if and when he wishes to visit United States...," Blackwill, who served as US ambassador in the country during 2001-03, said.
In 2005, the US denied Modi a diplomatic visa and revoked his existing tourist/business visa under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which makes a foreign government official who is responsible for particularly severe violations of religious freedom ineligible for an American visa.
The denial was for Modi's alleged role in the the 2002 riots.
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Blackwill today had a 45-minute one-to-one discussion with Modi.
He is leading a US trade delegation, which also met the Chief Minister and held discussion about expanding the scope of American companies' economic-industrial partnership and investment in Gujarat, a press statement issued by the Gujarat government's information department said.