New Delhi, March 23
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s promised bilateral visit to the United States in July this year does not seem to be happening.

It is not because of Washington’s denial of visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi despite a strong pitch made for it by the Ministry of External Affairs, but because he would be meeting President George W. Bush twice between May and July, sources said.

In May, the Prime Minister would be travelling to Moscow to attend the 60th anniversary of the Allies’ victory in the Second World War and world leaders would be gathering in the Russian capital for the May 9 event. In July, the Prime Minister would visit Scotland for attending G-8 Plus Three summit. Heads of governments from three major powers from the developing world — India, China and Brazil— would be having a summit meeting with the G-8 countries —USA, UK, France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan.

The Prime Minister would be having a meeting with Mr Bush both in Moscow and Scotland. Besides, the Prime Minister would also be meeting Mr Bush in September when he travels to New York for the United Nations General Assembly session. Over and above all this, the US President would be coming here early next year— late January or early February— for his maiden India visit.

In view of these frequent engagements between Prime Minister and the US President, there does not seem to be a pressing need for Dr Manmohan Singh travelling to Washington this summer.

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, during her last week’s visit here, had extended to Dr Manmohan Singh an invitation from Mr Bush for visiting the US so that the two leaders could have a deep focus on strengthening the bilateral relations and identifying newer areas for broadening the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Washington.