Gandhinagar : Acknowledging the rising stature of BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, US ambassador Nancy Powell called on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence on Thursday.
Powell also called on opposition Congress leaders at Vasant Begdo, the residence of Shankarsinh Vaghela, where apart from Vaghela, Congress state unit President Arjun Modvadia and Siddharth Patel met her.
Immediately after the meeting, the US Embassy released a statement saying that the meeting was part of the US Mission’s outreach programme in the run-up to the national elections. Her discussions focussed on the importance of the US-India relationship, regional security issues, human rights, and American trade and investment.
Powell’s meeting with Modi lasted an hour during which four bureaucrats were also present. US Consulate-General in Mumbai Peter Haas and other officials had accompanied Powell. The two sides are reported to have discussed bilateral trade but not the contentious issue of US visa to Modi. A large number of media persons had thronged the venue but were not allowed to cover the event. Later the Gujarat government put out a press release which said that Powell held comprehensive and wide ranging discussions.
RK MISRA
