Ending a nine-year boycott after the 2002 Gujarat riots, the US today opened a channel of communication with its envoy Nancy Powell meeting BJP's Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi at Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat.

The US has said, it is part of increased engagement with Indian leaders across the political spectrum.

In a sudden U-turn, the US, which had shunned Modi after the post-Godhra riots and has refused visa to him since 2005, signalled the end of its boycott of Modi by seeking a meeting between Powell and Modi.

The envoy-level officer travelled to the city for the first time in the last 13 years to meet Modi, who greeted the delegation with flowers at his residence and a hand shake.