Like the opening of a new superstore in town, the world’s largest retailers have been queuing up to get access to the as-yet-closed-off Indian market. But when last week the Indian government announced it would be flinging wide the doors for foreign investment, the Wal-Marts and the Carrefours had plenty to worry about.

Like the opening of a new superstore in town, the world’s largest retailers have been queuing up to get access to the as-yet-closed-off Indian market. But when last week the Indian government announced it would be flinging wide the doors for foreign investment, the Wal-Marts and the Carrefours had plenty to worry about.