Ahmedabad, March 28 (IANS): A delegation from the US House of Representatives and business leaders Thursday met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and lauded development in the state under his watch.

The meeting assumes significance as the US has been denying Modi a visa for his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Only recently, an invitation to speak at the Wharton India Economic Forum in the US was withdrawn when students and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania protested Modi's inclusion in the event.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has maintained that Modi has never sought a visa, in the first place.

US businesses, however, have warmed to Modi in recent times.

Aaron Schock, a Republican representing Illinois in the House of Representatives, is leading the delegation.

Ron Somers, president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), Cynthia Lummis, Republican Congresswoman representing Wyoming, and Cathy M. Rodgers, Republican Congresswoman from Washington state, are among the prominent faces in the delegation.

"I spoke to the USA delegation about how Gujarat has adopted a faster, inclusive and environment-friendly process of development," Narendra Modi said in a comment on Twitter.

"Am thankful to the members of USA Congress and business persons for their kind words on Gujarat's development," he said.

Modi has emerged as possible prime ministerial candidate of the BJP for the general elections 2014.