( CNN ) -- Indian Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi `` will be welcomed '' to the United States , the White House said on Friday . Spokesman Jay Carney said President Barack Obama `` does plan to reach out '' to him soon . In a statement , State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Modi would get a visa to the United States once he takes office and forms a government . Modi was denied one several years ago . Now , however , Modi would be eligible for an A1 visa , said Psaki . Heads of government use such visas to travel to the United States . `` We congratulate Narendra Modi and the BJP on its victory in winning a majority of seats in India 's historic national election , which saw more voters cast their ballots freely and fairly than in any election in human history , '' Psaki 's statement said . `` Secretary Kerry has also offered his congratulations , and looks forward to working with the BJP on expanding our shared prosperity and security . '' Modi 's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party appears to have captured a landslide victory and he will likely become prime minister . `` Once a new Government is formed , we look forward to working closely with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to advance our strong bilateral partnership , '' the State Department statement said . In 2005 , the United States denied Modi a visa because of his alleged role in anti-Muslim violence three years earlier in Gujarat state , where he was chief minister . More than 1,000 people were killed , mostly Muslims . A Supreme Court-ordered investigation in India absolved him of blame last year . CNN 's Kevin Liptak contributed to this story .
White House says President Obama will reach out to Indian PM-elect Modi soon . India 's next prime minister will be granted a visa , State Department says . He was denied once before over sectarian violence in India ; But he has been cleared of any blame .