Sunday, March 20 2005 15:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagpur: Former deputy Prime Minister and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President L K Advani today (March 20, 2005) said that United States should review its decision to deny diplomatic visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's appeal.

"The Prime Minister in the Parliament on Saturday (March 19, 2005) has appealed the US administration to review their decision and they are expected to respect the appeal", Advani told newsmen in a brief address here after attending a local function.

He said barring the 1987 incident when Kurt Waldheim was denied visa for suppression during Nazi rule, there was no other incident of a elected head of the State being denied a diplomatic visa in the past 20 years.

Diplomatic relations between two powerful democracies in the world India and United States has improved over a time and many persons from both sides worked to restore normalcy in relationship. But denial of visa to Modi was a severe blow to the relationship.

US has not only refused to give diplomatic visa to Modi but has also revoked the business and tourist visa, which is also a matter of concern, Advani added.

Singh has joined the entire nation in raising protest against the US decision, he said.