Ahmedabad, March 28
A high-level 24-member business delegation from the United States led by three members of the House of Representatives called on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar today and discussed various issues for closer ties between the US and Gujarat.

An official spokesman of the state government claimed that the delegation was “highly impressed” with Gujarat’s development journey carved by Modi’s progressive leadership for economic emancipation of the people of the state. The three US lawmakers - all Republican - in the delegation were Aaron Schock from Illinois, Cynthia Lummis representing Wyoming and Cathy Rodgers from Washington.

Schock had congratulated Modi on the floor of the House of Representatives on his third consecutive electoral victory in December last year.

The pro-Modi camp claimed that the visiting US lawmakers “invited” Modi to visit the US and that it was a “victory of sorts” for the Gujarat Chief Minister who had been denied a diplomatic visa on the grounds of alleged human rights violations during the 2002 communal riots in the state.

The official spokesman, however, did not say if the delegation issued any formal “invitation” to Modi at any stage, but some members of the delegation later told mediapersons that the three lawmakers have promised to take up the issue with the US administration.

The official spokesman claimed that during the meeting with Modi, Schock told the Chief Minister that the people in the US were “keen to work with Gujarat” as they were impressed with how Gujarat had facilitated investment and that there was “enormous potential” for closer ties between the US and Gujarat.

Rodgers complimented Modi for “bringing about a change in people’s lives” in the state and stated that she was looking forward to working together with Gujarat. Lummis commented that workers were “valued” in Gujarat which had become a “desirable place to live in” under Modi’s leadership.

Modi, while pointing out that the US was the oldest and India the largest democracy in the world, said the two countries should have even closer ties to strengthen democracy for the larger good of the people.