US Backtracks On Visa For India’s New PM Narendra Modi As Obama Lays Down Red Carpet

As the world awaits the official swearing–in ceremony of Mr. Narendra Modi to the seat of Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy, the United States of America has been forced to sing a different tune.

As The Inquisitr reported, as India, the world’s largest democracy, chose to elect the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) to lead the nation, the point–man, Mr. Narendra Damodardas Modi, is all set to accept the responsibility of Prime Minister.

Mr. Modi has been an undisputed Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Gujarat. But he has always been perceived as a controversial and hardcore right wing politician. The western civilization, especially the United States, never hid its displeasure for his alleged role in the anti-Muslim riots of 2002 that plagued Gujarat. Though the Supreme Court of India gave Mr. Modi a clean chit for not being directly responsible for instigating or managing the riots, the United States wasn’t satisfied.

In 2005, the US State Department had revoked a visa that Mr. Modi had, for traveling to the US on the grounds of alleged human rights violations after the 2002 Gujarat riots. Surprisingly, this step wasn’t met with strong resentment from the man himself, but his supporters did appear perturbed. Still, no violent reactions were recorded, and Mr. Modi simply chose to ignore the same.

However, the election results have now forced the US Government to do a complete reversal on its policy regarding the man. With Narendra Modi now at the helm of the democratic nation, the US will have to offer preferential treatment, reported India Today.

Accordingly, the President of the United States invited Narendra Modi to visit Washington at a mutually agreeable time to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, confirmed the White House following the maiden telephonic conversation between the two leaders, as reported by the Times Of India. As regards to the problem of the Visa, “The Prime Minister of India will be welcomed to the United States. As Head of Government, Modi would be eligible for an A-1 visa,” clarified State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki.

Over the years, the US has repeatedly said there is no change in its long-standing Visa policy relating to Mr. Modi. However, the man was free to apply for a visa and await a review like any other applicant, maintained the country’s administration.

Since Mr. Narendra Modi has now effectively become the undisputed leader of India, a country that has offered innumerable benefits to the US, the country will be forced to extend red–carpet treatment to him.

[Images via Bing]