U.S. Game To Do Business With Any Indian Government Elected Next

John Hudson, another Foreign Policy contributor, noted Powell's decision to "to meet with a popular but controversial Hindu nationalist politician" is "fuelling a war of words here at home between Muslim and anti-genocide groups on one side and an array of pro-India groups on the other."

"But in recent months, blackballing Modi became untenable given his status as the front-runner to become India's next prime minister," he wrote.

"For the State Department, a number of thorny issues remain," Hudson wrote. "Technically, it would not be difficult for Foggy Bottom to resolve Modi's travel statU.S.," he wrote, but "doing so risks inflaming the leader's vocal opponents in the U.S."

However, "given the importance of the economic ties between the two countries -- $100 billion worth of trade each year-it's unlikely that the State Department will let a decade-old dispute disrupt relations should Modi become the next prime minister," Hudson concluded.

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