SPECIAL ISSUE

March 26, 2005: Modi visa issue an eye-opener?

Dear Readers:
By denying a visa to Gujarut Chief Minister Narendra Modi to visit the US, the Bush administration has inflicted a grievous blow to otherwise most cordial and thriving relations between India and the US. The news has come as a surprise to the 1.6 million Non-Resident Indians living in this country.
It is just not an insult to Narendra Modi who represents 50 million Gujaratis, but it is an insult to 1.02 billion Indians, because the visa requisition came from the government of Indian and Modi is a democratically elected head of a state. By denying visa to Modi, the US has denied a legitimate request of the Indian government.
What is surprising is the US has not only denied Modi a diplomatic visa, but it has also cancelled a tourist/business visa already issued to him 1998, as if Modi is a criminal. The US must know that Modi has not been indicted by any count of law for any violation of human rights in the state nor has he been found guilty of blocking religious freedom of any group of people. The US administration must also know that Modi has been elected constitutionally and democratically as Chief Minister of the state of Gujarat. Gujaratis from 60 percent of the Indian population of 1.6 million living in this county. In denying a visa to Modi, the US has heavily relied on an anti-Indian lobbying group that has falsely fabricated non-existent charges against Modi. The US should have clarified the issue with the government of India directly. It should not have been difficult because a couple of days prior to the US visa decision, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in New Delhi. With all the fanfare, she declared that the Indo-US relations were growing, but the news about the impending visa denial was out only when she was hardly out of Pakistan. While she was in Delhi, she did not give a hint of it.
The deception is evident, not just on a singular occasion. It may be recalled the former US Secretary of State Colin Powell visited India sometime back, received all the respect and hospitality, but once he reached Pakistan, he declared special non-NATO status to that country. Not a hint about it while he was in India. A similar trick was played this time by Condoleezza Rice. So much for the openness of the US.
Keeping aside the partisan politics, it is heartening to note, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has personally taken it upon himself and, though his External Affairs Ministry, requested the US government to reconsider its decision. For once all political parties in India have unanimously denounced the US decision of denial of visa to Modi.
If Modi is made responsible for what has happened in post Godhra massacre, can President Bush disown the responsibility for what has happened in Cuban and Iraqi jails. Even much worse has been the needless heavy loss of human lives in Iraq in the name of its liberation from Saddam Hussain. What would be the feelings of Americans if Bush or any of his aides were denied visas by India? How could the Bush administration justify all the courtesies and state honors it bestows on Musharraf who came to power though a coup and who is responsible for mass massacres in Kargil and Kashmir?
The Indians in this country are always gentle and generous to politicians whether they are Democrats or Republicans. The NRIs contribute liberally to the campaign funds but get nothing in return for them or for their country. Is the visa issue an eye-opener against such Indian generosity?

Sincerely,

Prashant Shah
Editor & Publisher