Thursday, March 24 2005 21:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Varanasi (UP): Indo-US relations will not suffer any setback by the denial of American visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the Governments of the two countries are busy strengthening their ties in various other fields, US Ambassador to India David C Mulford said today (March 24, 2005).

"The US Government has made clear the reasons for denying visa to Modi and I have nothing to further add to the issue," Mulford told a group of students during an interactive session in Benaras Hindu University campus in Varanasi.

"US is working with Indian Government on alleviation of poverty and health infrastructure in India and the two Governments share strong ties on various international issues, including strengthening of democratic institutions at global level," he said.

Referring to India's nuclear policy and its commitment to peaceful use of nuclear technology, the US Ambassador said though Washington was earlier apprehensive about New Delhi's decision to declare itself as a nuclear power, now it is likely to believe the Indian stand on the nuclear issue.

On the US role in the thaw in Indo-Pak relations, he said Washington never wanted to play the role of a third party negotiator but at the same time it is happy to work as a 'friendly facilitator' between the two neighbouring States.

Mulford lauded the role of Indian-American citizens and Indian students studying in the US academic institutions and said Indian community was making significant impact in the socio-economy and polity of the US.

He said his Government was considering making visa rules more flexible so that Indian students could study in his country in large numbers.