Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
India

US hopes partnership with India will grow under Modi

Darpan News Desk IANS, 20 May, 2014 11:47 AM
    Calling India a "very important strategic partner", the US hopes that its "enduring partnership" with India will only grow under the new government led by Narendra Modi despite the flap over his visa.
     
    "Obviously, we have a long, enduring partnership with India. That will continue and hopefully only grow in the future," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters Monday referring President Barack Obama's invitation to the prime minister elect.
     
    But despite the direct invitation from Obama ending the over decade-long US boycott of the Bharatiya Janata Party leader, whose US visa was revoked in 2005 for his alleged role during the 2002 Gujarat riots, the State department continued to play word games over the issue.
     
    "I'm not going to get into the tick-tock, but heads of government and heads of state are eligible for an A-1 visa and must travel to the United States on an A-1 visa regardless of the purpose of the trip," Psaki said when asked if the US visa ban on Modi had ended.
     
    "As prime minister of India, obviously Modi would be a head of state, and you saw the announcement from the White House this weekend, after the President's call, that they have invited him and would welcome him to the United States," Psaki said
     
    But Modi have to apply for the visa to come to the US? "Again, I'm not going to get into the tick-tock of the logistics, but obviously heads of state come to the United States on A-1 visas," she repeated declining to say if the US had talked to Modi's team on the issue.
     
    Asked if she read anything in Modi not tweeting his thanks to President Obama's congratulations, Psaki said: "I don't have any Twitter analysis today to share. We look forward to welcoming him to the United States when that visit is scheduled."
     
    "I think our relationship between the United States and India is so strong and enduring we won't worry about the Twitter rank order," she added.
     
    Asked who would be the new US point person for dealing with the new Modi government once the US ambassador Nancy Powell leaves later this month, Psaki noted that the US has "an extensive team on the ground, a very large presence in India, given the importance of our relationship."
     
    "There will be a range of officials on the ground who will be in touch with the new government and be working with them" she said.
     
    "That just as is true with many, many governments where they have a very important strategic relationship."

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Modi steps up discussions over government formation

    Modi steps up discussions over government formation
    BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi Sunday met senior party leader L.K. Advani as well as other leaders including from alliance partners as part of consultations aimed at formation of the new NDA government.

    Modi steps up discussions over government formation

    Be Careful, Modi's Real Test Starts Now

    Be Careful, Modi's Real Test Starts Now
    Now it is time for Narendra Modi to emerge as a global leader to take India on the path of becoming a super power in every sense of the term. His testing time starts now.

    Be Careful, Modi's Real Test Starts Now

    Nitish Kumar quits as Bihar CM over poll debacle

    Nitish Kumar quits as Bihar CM over poll debacle
    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned Saturday, taking moral responsibility for the rout of his Janata Dal-United in the state in the general elections, even as party legislators reiterated their support and asserted they would persuade him to continue.

    Nitish Kumar quits as Bihar CM over poll debacle

    How Aam Aadmi Party hit Akali Dal, Congress hard in Punjab

    How Aam Aadmi Party hit Akali Dal, Congress hard in Punjab
    The AAP may not have bagged any Lok Sabha seats anywhere in the country except the four it "unexpectedly" won in Punjab, but the performance of its candidates in Punjab's 13 seats has left even party insiders stumped.

    How Aam Aadmi Party hit Akali Dal, Congress hard in Punjab

    Modi gets grand welcome in Delhi, propitiates gods in Varanasi

    Modi gets grand welcome in Delhi, propitiates gods in Varanasi
    Thousands of BJP supporters gave a rousing welcome Saturday to Narendra Modi, set to be India's prime minister, as he flew into Delhi and set out in a motorcade to the party headquarters.

    Modi gets grand welcome in Delhi, propitiates gods in Varanasi

    Rathore the biggest winner among sportspersons, Kaif loses badly

    Rathore the biggest winner among sportspersons, Kaif loses badly
    Olympic silver medal winning shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won his maiden Lok Sabha election Friday on a BJP ticket by a huge margin while cricketer Mohammed Kaif, who contested on a Congress ticket, lost by a massive margin.

    Rathore the biggest winner among sportspersons, Kaif loses badly