Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to the 2005 denial of a US visa during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, calling it an insult to India and its democratically elected government. Speaking on his first-ever podcast appearance, Modi said the decision was based on false narratives surrounding the Godhra incident and reflected disdain for democracy and the country.
“At the time, I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The US decision to deny a visa was based on misinformation related to the Godhra incident. Personally, it didn’t affect me, but I saw it as an insult to a democratically elected government and to India as a whole,” Modi said. Recalling his press conference from the time, he added, “I had said only one thing: ‘India’s time will come, and there will be a day when the world, including America, will queue up for visas to India.’ That vision has become a reality by 2025.”
Modi emphasized that the visa denial energized his journey and strengthened his resolve. The remarks were made during a podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, marking the first time Modi has participated in such a platform.
In the two-hour-long podcast, Modi discussed his childhood, education, entry into politics, handling setbacks, and stress management, among other topics. The podcast trailer had earlier been shared by the Prime Minister on X.
