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Review U.S. visa denial to Modi: Advani

Special Correspondent

- PHOTO: PTI/ VIJAY KUMAR JOSHI

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, presents a bouquet to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice when she called on him at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition L. K. Advani raised the issue of denial of U.S. visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi during his interaction with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here on Saturday.

Mr. Advani pointed out that Mr. Modi was a democratically elected leader and there was no reason why he should not be allowed to visit the U.S.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also said once when Mr. Modi had not even applied for the visa, sources in the U.S. State Department pointed out that his visa request had been rejected.

Mr. Advani said his party was not opposed to the India-U.S. nuclear deal but was wary of the provisions of the Hyde Act being attached to nuclear cooperation.

PTI reports:

Mr. Modi had been invited to the U.S. by Gujarati expatriates who wanted him to address their group consisting of NRI business leaders. He was reportedly denied visa for his alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002 which left a trail of death and devastation.

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