美大使將晤印度反對黨領袖莫迪

The United States says its ambassador to India will meet opposition leader Narendra Modi, who could become New Delhi's next prime minister.

The planned meeting, confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, represents a change of posture toward the Hindu nationalist.

Washington imposed a visa ban on Modi following criticism of his handling of anti-Muslim riots in 2002 in Gujarat state, where he is chief minister. The violence left more than 1,000 people dead.

A U.S. embassy spokesman said Modi's meeting with Ambassador Nancy Powell is part of a "concentrated outreach to senior political and business leaders" to highlight the U.S.-India relationship.

Modi could become prime minister if his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) performs well in the upcoming parliamentary elections, as recent polls suggest.美國說，美國駐印度大使將會晤反對黨領袖納倫德拉.莫迪，他可能成爲新德里的下一任總理。

計劃中的會議已經由美國駐新德里大使館證實。這意味着對這位印度教民族主義者的態度有所變化。

華盛頓一度對莫迪實行了簽證禁令，那是在美國批評他2002年處理古吉拉特邦反穆斯林騷亂的方式之後。當時莫迪在那裏擔任首席部長。那次暴力事件造成超過1000人死亡。

美國大使館一位發言人說，莫迪與美國大使南希.鮑威爾的會晤是“跟政界和商界資深領袖密集接觸”的一部分，以突顯美印關係。

最近的民意調查顯示，如果莫迪的印度人民黨（ BJP）在即將舉行的議會選舉中表現良好，他可能成爲總理。