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BJP's coronation of Modi not enough yet to get a US visa

US says he is welcome to apply for one and await a review like any other applicant

Narendra Modi

Press Trust of India Washington
Even as the Indian opposition Bharatiya Janata Party nominated Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate, the US has said that there is no change in its visa policy with regard to the BJP leader and that he was welcome to apply for the same.

"There is no change in our longstanding visa policy. With regard to the (Gujarat) Chief Minister, he is welcome to apply for a visa and await a review like any other applicant.

"That review will be, of course, grounded in US law," State Department spokesperson Marie Harf, told reporters.

"And I just am not going to speculate about what the outcome of that review might be," she said.
 
Harf said the US does not want to involve itself in the domestic Indian politics or for that of any other country.

"We're not involved in domestic Indian politics. If Modi would like to apply for a visa and await a review like any other applicant, he's certainly free to do so," she said.

"I just don't have anything more for you on this. I'm not going to comment on domestic Indian politics," she said.

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First Published: Sep 14 2013 | 2:30 PM IST

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