Washington says it will welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a visit to US later this year. In an interview to a private TV channel in New Delhi, visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry said US is looking forward to Mr Modi’s visit. He said the former Gujarat chief Minister was denied visa by the previous government led by President George W Bush.

Kerry said US will support India in seeking membership of the UN Security Council. He said America also supports India to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

On alleged surveillance of BJP by US National Security Agency, Kerry said it is not appropriate to discuss the issues of intelligence in public. He, however, assured that President Obama is doing his best to be open.

US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, who is accompanying Kerry said, the tone and attitude of Modi-led government is most exciting and there is a lot of optimism as far as relationship between the two countries is concerned.

She said the US is sympathetic towards India’s food security challenge. Her comments come in wake of New Delhi's tough stand which has put a question mark on the passage of the Trade Facilitation Agreement at the ongoing Geneva talks. India is seeking a guarantee on food security for its millions of poor people as a pre-condition for the passage of the pact.