Will work with whoever Indian people choose: US

Washington: The US has said it is willing to work with anyone Indian people elect in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “We will work with whoever the Indian people choose,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said yesterday, when asked if the US is willing to work with the BJP’s Prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. The meeting between Modi and US Ambassador to India, Nancy Powell, in Gandhinagar on Thursday was part of US’ effort of engagement of top Indian political leadership ahead of the general elections, Harf said. [caption id=“attachment_1391595” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Modi met with Powell earlier this week. AP[/caption] Insisting that there has been no change in its visa policy, she said visa applications are looked at on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the regulations that govern them. “That has been the case in the past and will be going forward as well,” she said. She denied reports that the US has maintained distance from Modi. “That’s actually not true. Our current Consul General in Mumbai and previous CGs have met with Chief Minister Modi, so to say no American officials have actually isn’t correct,” Harf said. “In terms of his visa, as we have said repeatedly when individuals apply for a US visa, their applications are reviewed in accordance with US law and policy. That would be the case here, and it would be with anyone else,” she added. PTI