'US ties with India too important to be held up on Modi issue'

In 2005, the State Department had revoked a visa that Modi had for traveling to the US in the wake of the 2002 riots in Gujarat.

The US has repeatedly said there is no change in its long-standing visa policy relating to Modi but he is free to apply for a visa and await a review “like any other applicant.”

On how the upcoming crucial general elections in India will play out, Wisner said while it is too early to predict the electoral outcome, it is “absolutely clear” that there will be major changes in the Indian political landscape.  

He underscored that no matter what is promised during the election campaign, the next government in New Delhi must have one key priority of putting India back on a growth trajectory.