India has been reinstated to the Olympics in time for the flag to fly at the Sochi Winter Games.

The International Olympic Committee has suspended India after a row over government interference in their election process.

India’s football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has refused to carry the Beijing Olympic torch during its run in the capital New Delhi later this month in protest at Chinese authorities’ crackdown on protests in Tibet.

India is set to become the latest addition to the grand prix calendar after the Indian Olympic Association announced that a preliminary deal to stage a race in 2009 has been agreed with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.