Cars in Ahmedabad city displayed stickers saying “America has denied visa to Narendra Modi. Throw out all American goods and Americans from Gujarat.” Seen in the photo is the rear of a car. (Photo: Courtesy, Gujarat Times News Service)

New Delhi : India urged the U.S. to review its decision to refuse visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over the 2002 sectarian violence, calling it an “uncalled for” and insensitive action.

“The action on the part of the U.S. embassy is uncalled for and displays lack of courtesy and sensitivity towards a constitutionally elected chief minister of a state of India,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

A ministry spokesman said New Delhi had lodged “a strong protest” with the U.S. deputy chief of mission, Robert Blake, and urged Washington to reconsider the decision.

“Foreign Secretary (Shyam) Saran has asked us to review the decision. I will report it back to Washington,” Blake told reporters outside the South Block, which houses the external affairs ministry. The spokesman said: “The government of India expresses its deep concern and regret that the embassy of the U.S. has denied a visa to Modi... to visit the U.S. for an event organized by the Asian-American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). “The visa has been requested by the ministry of external affairs through a note verbale to the embassy on Feb. 28, 2005.”