Modi Very Impressive, Visa Controversy in the Past: Top US Official to NDTV

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New Delhi: US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns speaks to NDTV in an exclusive interview after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi - the first official contact between the Obama administration and the Modi government.

He described Mr Modi as a "very impressive man" and said the controversy over his visa "is a thing of the past." Speaking about a report that America's National Security Agency was authorized to snoop on the BJP, he said he understands India's concerns on the controversy but added that he was "not at liberty to say more in public."

Here are some highlights

• Had an excellent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is a very impressive man
• The visa controversy with Mr Modi is not something we should dwell on now
• The PM did not bring up the denial of visa to him, he focused on the future
• I understand India's concerns on snooping controversy, but am not at liberty to say more in public
• It is frustrating for both India and US that the nuclear deal has still not taken off yet
• Liability Legislation (on nuclear suppliers) continues to be an area of concern for the US
• Pakistan needs to shut down safe havens for terrorists
• It concerns the US that Hafiz Saeed (26/11 mastermind) is able to operate freelyin Pakistan
  
• The Lashkar-e-Toiba is a threat not just to India but the US as well
• My (nuclear) talks with Iran are ongoing. There are still wide gaps to be covered
• We are sharing all information we have on Indians still trapped in Iraq. Am glad that nurses from India are back