Can US blacklist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asks TIME magazine

New Delhi: India and US are likely to face bigger challenge than Devyani Khobragade issue in days to come if Narendra Modi becomes the Prime Minister of India, according to the reputed ‘TIME' magazine."Don't expect the relationship to rebound quickly. In fact, the atmosphere could soon become even more tense - over a far more prominent Indian also embroiled in a visa controversy," TIME noted.Noting that the Modi-led BJP has a clear edge in upcoming general elections, the magazine wonders whether the US government would continue to deny visa to Modi even after he takes over as the head of government of world's largest democracy.“When Modi had no national profile, the restriction was inconsequential. But can Washington blacklist the leader of India?” the magazine asked."If the BJP prevails, Modi will be India's next Prime Minister. Yet he is persona non grata in the US because of his alleged role in a horrific episode of sectarian violence in February 2002."Modi's critics say he condoned or even encouraged the violence - accusations he stoutly denies and for which no Indian court has found him responsible," TIME added.The magazine recalls that in 2005, the State Department revoked Modi's visa under an American law that bars a foreign official who "was responsible for or directly carried out ... particularly severe violations of religious freedom,"The magazine further notes, "A resolution introduced in November in the US Congress calls on the State Department to continue denying Modi entry. It has attracted 43 congressional co-sponsors, including two Muslims.""Realists, and US business leaders wishing to capitalise on Modi's openness to foreign investment, say his character should only be a footnote to Washington's wider relations with New Delhi," Michael Crowley wrote for TIME. "Should Modi win, the Obama Administration will be pressured by many at home and abroad to condemn his past and prevent him from visiting the US. But (President Barack) Obama has tended to subordinate principle to the national interest," he suggested."Over the years, the US has done business with plenty of unsavoury leaders, in countries far less friendly than India," Time said, "By revoking Modi's visa, the US government has made clear its view of him and the Gujarat rampage." "But Washington's ties with New Delhi are too important to be confined through that prism if Modi becomes PM," it said, suggesting "Both countries need to step forward and not allow Modi's past to push them back."