WASHINGTON, MARCH 22 (AGENCIES) Calling the denial of visa to Gujarat Chief Minister Narenda Modi a ''technical matter'', the State Department said it should be separated from Indo-US relations.

''The issue of this visa, frankly, I think, should be separated entirely from the broader issue of U.S.-India relations,'' Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters yesterday.
He said the Modi visa issue was a ''specific case dealing with a specific visit''.
It had nothing to do with bilateral relations, Mr Ereli said.

''It has nothing to do with our close partnership and good friendship with India. It is a technical matter related to a visa application.'' As for the appeal by the Indian government for review of the visa decision, he said US Ambassador in India Robert Mulford had reaffirmed the original decision.

''Let me just be very clear... one should not make more of this decision than it is. It's a decision based on the interpretation of law with respect to a specific request for a visa. It is not a reflection of our views of the Government of Gujarat or the people of Gujarat or a reflection of our bilateral relations.'' Referring to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's recent visit to India, Mr Ereli said Ms Rice had had an ''excellent visit to India''.

In her meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, she had talked about ''all aspects of what is a strengthening relationship between the United States and India and we look forward to taking that relationship to an even greater strategic 0partnership.''