So bright are the chances of Modi as PM? Even America is changing tune now

Ahmedabad, 8 November 2013

Chances of Narendra Modi becoming prime minister of India next year have affected America’s stand on him lately.

Quoting an American official in Washington who spoke on the condition of anonymity, PTI report says dismissing visa is a non-issue which is largely a creation of the Indian media and not at all an issue in the US government.

“Visa issue is a media creation. He has to apply and we will review. He (Modi) has not applied (for a visa),” said a senior US official on Thursday.

“We will work with the leader of the world’s largest democracy. There is no question about that,”he said when asked about the prospects of working with an Indian government led by Bharatiya Janata Party’s PM nominee Narendra Modi.

“You said you have very strong relationship with Prime Minister Singh. If Modi become the Prime Minister next year, would that be problematic for the United States?” the official was asked.

“I think that the United States had a very strong relationship with the previous Indian government when it was under BJP leadership,” the US official said.

“I think the relationship between the United States and India is an enduring one, it is a bipartisan in the United States, irrespective of who is in office. And we believe that (in a ) multiparty (system) in India that it is supported by all political parties, we expect that relationship to continue,” the official said.

According to another US official “there is not a lot of angst about him (Modi)” in the US government, but it is believed that the Administration has decided to maintain the status quo on this issue for the very reason that it might be seen as an interference in the internal domestic polity of India.

Any change in the status quo might be used by political parties to politicise the issue ahead of the elections, sources said, adding that the US would be working with any leader who is elected as the Prime Minister of India after the general elections.

America changing tune

Earlier, whatever number of time you ask any US official about Modi’s visa issue he/she would reply, “It is our policy globally that due to privacy reasons we don’t comment on individual Visa”.

In the middle of this year, the US officials changed the track. During his Ahmedabad visit Mumbai based Consulate General of America Peter Haas said, “Our policy remains unchanged… Mr. Modi, same with anyone who applies for a visa, we will apply our laws.. regulations to adjudicate that case.”

It seems the tune is further changed and now America claims that Modi’s visa issue is media creation.

For last few years it had become business of American officials to reply questions and issue statements on Modi’s visa when the fact was that Modi never applied for visa. Those close to Mr. Modi have time and again said that the entire visa issue is bogus. It is good that finally the American official has said it.