Prakash Javadekar takes up Modi visa denial case with US official

NEW DELHI: Environment minister Prakash Javadekar raised the issue of the United States' denial of visa to PM Narendra Modi since 2005 in a meeting with Daniel A Reifsnyder, assistant secretary for environment & leader of delegation of USA to UNEA, Nairobi.

Sources said Javadekar told Reifsnyder that the move was unnecessary since Modi, then Gujarat CM, had not even applied for an American visa.

This comes at a time when the US has already indicated a change in stand. US president Barack Obama spoke to PM Modi, days after the 2014 poll results, expressing his commitment to fulfilling India-US strategic partnership.

Indicating the winds of change were extending not just to the US but across other countries as well, Javadekar tweeted after his meetings in Nairobi, "World is very excited about decisive verdict given by Indian voters to Sh. @narendramodi led govt, in the world's largest democratic elections. World leaders have praised accomplishments of @narendramodi led govt. Watching India with hope for better ties & more meaningful partnerships.''

Modi is scheduled to attend the United Nations' General Assembly meeting in New York and visit Washington on President Obama's invitation. The dates of Modi's visit to the United States are yet to be fixed but are likely in the second fortnight of September.

New Delhi believes Modi's visit will help patch up the embarrassment over Washington's refusal to give him a visa because of the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.

The administration of President George W Bush denied Modi a visa in 2005 under a 1998 US law barring entry to foreigners who have committed "particularly severe violations of religious freedom".