Walmart’s joint venture in India, Bharti Walmart, has put its expansion plans on hold as a result of an anti-bribery probe into the grocer’s investments and operations in the country.

A Bharti Walmart spokeswoman said: “There had been some delays in store openings as the company developed and implemented enhanced procedures for obtaining licences.”

Bharti Walmart had planned to open seven Best Price Modern Wholesale stores between last November and March.