The US on Thursday said it is looking forward to
working closely with the government "Indian people choose" in what is
likely to be seen as an endorsement of BJP prime ministerial candidate and
Gujarat CM Narendra Modi. This remark comes after US ambassador to India
Nancy Powell met Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and leader of opposition
(LOP) in the Gujarat assembly and senior Congress party leader Shankarsinh
Vaghela.
The remark was attributed to US ambassador to India,
Nancy Powell, by the embassy in a statement after an hourlong meeting with Modi
in Gandhinagar.
This was the first visit of any US ambassador with
Modi in the last nine years — since the visa ban on him from March 2005. Powell
was accompanied by Peter Hass, consul general of US in Mumbai and few other top
officials of the US embassy.
Powell met Modi at his official residence for one
hour and 15 minutes and had formal talks on several topics. However,
reportedly, the contentious discussion on the visa ban issue was avoided. The
ban was put in place for Modi's alleged failure in protecting the rights of
religious minorities in the state during 2002 riots.
Powell and Modi reportedly discussed business and
trade issues between the two countries, US's participation in development of
green energy in Gujarat and India cultural ties etc. Modi reportedly raised the
issue of justice for Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in US.
Powell also had a meeting with Vaghela at his
residence in Gandhinagar and discussed several issues pertaining to
development-related issues of Gujarat with him.
The US embassy, last month, approached BJP seeking
to know if a meeting between Powell and Modi was possible. Once it received a
favourable response, the embassy sought a clearance from the ministry of
external affairs.
The embassy, in a statement on Thursday said that
the meeting was part of the US mission's outreach to senior leaders of India's
major political parties in advance of the upcoming national elections.
The United States and India are moving forward with
a strategic partnership that is broad and deep, it said.
"Starting last November, ambassador Powell has
shared and listened to views on the US-India relationship. She continues to
emphasize that the US-India partnership is important and strategic, and that
the United States looks forward to working closely with the government that the
Indian people choose in the upcoming elections," it added.
During her visit to Gujarat, Powell will meet with
representatives from non-governmental organizations and US and Indian
businesses. Her discussions will focus on the importance of the US-India
relationship, regional security issues, human rights, and American trade and
investment in India.
Powell, who arrived in Ahmedabad on a three-day
visit on Wednesday is likely to visit Sabarmati Ashram , Sardar Patel memorial,
heritage monuments like Sidi Saiyedni Mosque, and the stepwell of Adalaj. She
will also attend a seminar in Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University and a SEWA
event.
Even as the Gujarat secretariat was abuzz with the
visit, the US downplayed the development. "We are engaged in concentrated
outreach to senior political and business leaders," state department
spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. "There have been no changes in our
policy," she said, adding, "These decisions don't always rise up to
every highest level. But all individuals who needed to weigh in weighed
in."
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