Modi's window for economic reform closing as scandal plagues govt

New Delhi

THE window of opportunity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for serious economic reform seems to be closing. A little over a year after taking office, his government has been caught up in its first big political scandal.

Critics say Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj abused her position to help Lalit Modi, a businessman and former head of the Indian Premier League (a cricket tournament), who's been accused of corruption. Mr Modi, no relation of the prime minister, has long denied wrongdoing; he now lives in London. Ms Swaraj helped him secure travel documents.