Lawmakers invite Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to visit US,to take up visa issue

The delegation is in India to promote ‘People-to-People Contacts & Diplomacy’ along with the Overseas Friends of BJP’s (OFBJP) ‘Global Community Over-Reach Programme’.

“We have invited the CM to the US,” Aaron Schock,who represents Illinois and is the leader of the delegation,told reporters. The other members are Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Cathy M Rodgers of Washington.

Asked about Modi having been denied a visa to visit the US,Schock said: “Back home we will talk to our colleagues to press for visa issue.” He said Modi had accepted the invitation.

The delegation of American lawmakers was the first to meet Modi since the 2002 riots. Their invitation came days after the Wharton India Economic Forum was held after its organisers revoked their invitation to Modi to be the keynote speaker via video-conference and sparked a controversy.

Responding to an e-mail from The Indian Express asking if it was aware of the visit and if it indicated a change in Washington’s stand on giving Modi a visa,a spokesperson for the US Consulate in Mumbai said: “We are aware of the visit. If you have any questions,we would refer you to the members of Congress. The US Congress is the legislative branch of the US government,and is separate from the executive branch.”

Modi was denied a visa to travel to the US in 2005 for alleged violation of religious freedom in connection with the 2002 riots. The diplomatic visa was denied under 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act and his tourist and business visa that was valid at that time was also revoked.

In December 2012,a group of 25 American lawmakers had urged then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to continue denying a visa to Modi saying that his government has not adequately pursued justice for the 2002 riot victims.

Later on Thursday,a blog by Modi quoted Rodgers as saying,“Modi has brought a change in people’s lives. Looking forward to how we can work together”. It also quoted Lummis as saying,“Workers are valued here,it is a desirable place to live in because of Shri Modi’s leadership qualities”.