Friday, March 18 2005 15:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India will take up with the US the issue of denial of visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said today (Mar 18, 2005).

Singh told newspersons in New Delhi that he would be reporting the matter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other colleagues.

Asked if he would be taking up the matter with the US Embassy in New Delhi, he replied in the affirmative.

Singh said on February 28, his Ministry had sent a note verbale to the American Embassy mentioning that the Gujarat Chief Minister would be soon visiting the US to address Asian-American Hotel Owners' Association in Florida and meet business leaders.

It was requested that multi-entry visa may be affixed on Modi's passport, the Minister said.

US Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Blake will be meeting Foreign Ministry officials later in the day.