Was in the city for the graduation ceremony of 15 Kyrgyz women from SEWA.
US Consul General Peter Haas on Tuesday refused to say anything about the controversial Modi visa issue. Haas was on a visit to the city to participate in the graduation ceremony held for a group of 15 Kyrgyz women leaders at the SEWA manager ni school in the city.
Hass maintained a 'we do not comment on personal visa matters' response as journalists questioned him on a possible change in the US policy with regard to granting of visa to the chief minister.
When asked if the CM making it to cover page of the forthcoming issue of Time Magazine was a sign of the 'ice thawing' Hass said, "You should ask them not me because I am here not there."
It should be noted that Modi's visa was revoked just two days
before his travel to the US in March 2005.
Modi had alleged at that time that revoking of his visa, amounted to an "insult" to India and reflected Washington's effort to show the country in poor light. Meanwhile, talking about relations between US and Gujarat, Haas said that there was good cooperation and many American companies have set up plants
in the state.
Meanwhile at the function Haas praised the efforts put in by SEWA in training women to be entrepreneurs. He said that through such programmes India and the US can work together
to strengthen regional economic co-operation.
The 10-day workshop was funded by the US Department of State's Office of Global Women's Issues. Haas said that the US secretary Hillary Clinton had last week told them that promoting women's empowerment was central to the US foreign policy.
The group of Kyrgyz woman also promised to celebrate a day as the "India Day' to honour their time in the country. They also presented their Indian counterparts and the dignitaries with a glimpse of their culture including song and food.
(inputs by agencies)
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