NEW DELHI, 19 March 2005 — The US snubbed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi yesterday by denying him diplomatic visa and revoking his tourist visa under a law that bars anyone guilty of violating religious freedom.
“We can confirm that the chief minister of Gujarat state Narendra Modi applied for but was denied the diplomatic visa under Section 214 (B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act because he was not coming for the purpose that qualified for diplomatic visa,” a US Embassy spokesman said.
“His tourist/business visa was revoked under Section 212 (A) (2) (G) of the act which makes any government official who was responsible for or directly carried out at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom, ineligible for visa,” the spokesman added. Opposing Modi’s earlier plan to pay a five-day visit to the US from March 20, some Indian-American groups in the US had threatened to organize protest rallies against him.
Within hours of US revoking Modi’s tourist/business visa, US Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Blake was summoned to the Indian Foreign Office. During the 30-minute meeting, while Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran conveyed India’s concern and regret over the development, Blake explained the reason for the US decision. Later, Blake told reporters that India had asked US to review the decision.
Modi criticized the US for revoking his visa. This amounted to an “insult” to India and reflected Washington’s effort to show the country in “poor light,” he said.
