White House: Despite past visa ban, we’ll welcome new Indian leader

Despite a frosty relationship that dates back nearly a decade, the U.S. will welcome Indian Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi.

Mr. Modi, elected India’s new leader earlier this week, was denied entry to the U.S. in 2005 because of his role in 2002 Indian riots, which claimed hundreds of lives, many of them Muslims.

Now, after his election, Mr. Modi will be allowed to visit the U.S., White House press secretary Jay Carney saidFriday.

“Once the government is formed, we look forward to working closely with the prime minister and the cabinet,” Mr. Carney told reporters Friday.

“The prime minister of India will be welcomed to the U.S. … this is an important relationship, a strong bilateral partnership, and the president looks forward to building on the progress we’ve made.”