US ends decade long boycott of Hindu Nationalist leader

In a major policy shift, the US on Thursday moved towards revoking the decade long boycott of controversial Hindu nationalist leader, Narendra Modi who could become India's Prime Minister in the upcoming elections to be held within few months. Following a decade long embargo, U.S Ambassador to India, Nancy J. Powell met the prime ministerial candidate of the Opposition Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) and Chief Minister of India's eastern state of Gujrat, Narendra Modi, and held discussions focused on the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, regional security issues, human rights, and American trade and investment in India. "This meeting was part of the U.S. Mission's outreach to senior leaders of India's major political parties in advance of the upcoming national elections, " the US embassy in New Delhi said in a statement. "During her visit to Gujarat, Ambassador Powell will meet with representatives from non-governmental organizations and U.S. and Indian businesses. Her discussions focus on the importance of the U.S.-India relationship, regional security issues, human rights, and American trade and investment in India," the statement added. The meeting between the US ambassador and Modi took place in Gandhinagar city of Gujrat. The United States and India are moving forward with a strategic partnership that is broad and deep, the statement read, adding, starting last November, Ambassador Powell has shared and listened to views on the U.S.-India relationship. "She continues to emphasize that the U.S.-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," the statement read. The Hindu nationalist leader, Modi, has been banned to travel to the US for almost a decade over his controversial role in the religious riots that took place in 2002 in the state Gujarat. Human rights activists and groups have long accused, Modi, the then chief minister of Gujrat, giving free hand to rioters who ended up killing 2,000, people, majority of whom belonged to the Muslims Community. Later, the US revoked visa of Modi in 2005 under domestic law that bars entry by any foreign official seen as responsible for "severe violations of religious freedom". A charge refuted by the controversial leader. Apart from the US, several European nations and Australia have already restored ties with the controversial leader.