PM Narendra Modi may address Congress in the US

Washington, June 21: The very people who had denied Modi a US Visa are now keen on having him to address the joint session of the US Congress during a Washington visit in September.

Ed Royce, the California Republican and the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to House Speaker John Boehner, seeking permission to invite Mr Modi to address a joint session of the House and Senate during his trip.

The letter further added,"In every aspect - whether it be in political, economic or security relations - the United States has no more important partner in South Asia. It is not an overstatement to say that the US-India relationship will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century."

Although the letter was not immediately signed by Mr Boehner's office, it gained the approval of North Carolina Republican Representative George Holding. Congressional aides said that they expected an invitation would be issued to PM Modi soon.

Former President George W Bush had denied Modi a visa in 2005 when he had just become the chief minister of Gujarat, that too during the Gujarat riots.

He was denied a visa under a 1998 US law barring foreigners who had committed "severe violations of religious freedom".

In the year 2002, Modi was blamed for the riots, but the Supreme Court did denied any wrongdoings. India's SC ruled in 2010 that Modi had no case to answer.

This year, President Barack Obama congratulated PM Modi on his election victory in mid-May and invoted him to the White House.

The United States sees India as a natural ally and is eager to expand business and security cooperation with thw Modi government.

OneIndia News