US envoy's meeting with Modi a 'necessary step': NYT

Modi has denied any wrongdoing and in 2012, a Supreme Court investigative team said there was not enough evidence against the Gujarat Chief Minister to bring charges against him.

In December, a court in Gujarat drew a similar conclusion.

"His rise to power is deeply troubling to many Indians, especially the country's 138 million Muslims and its many other minorities. His strident Hindu nationalism and inability to tolerate dissent could inflame sectarian tensions that have subsided somewhat in the last decade. That would be destructive for India and the region.

"Should he become prime minister, his ability to reverse a decline in economic growth, India's greatest challenge, and to ensure stability would depend on his ability to represent, and defend, all the country's people," the editorial added.