SONIA GANDHI said she would "humbly decline" to be the next prime minister of India, a decision that followed Hindu nationalist outrage over the prospect of a foreign-born woman at the helm of the nation.

Fear of assassination has forced Italian-born Sonia Gandhi to refuse to be India’s next prime minister.

Sonia Gandhi no longer wants to be India’s first foreign-born prime minister, members of her Congress party and its political allies claimed today.

Political uncertainty and financial panic swept India today as the stock market shutdown after its worst-ever plunge and two powerful communist parties refused to join a proposed new government under Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi worked swiftly today to build a new coalition government for India around her family’s Congress party after a stunning upset election victory, but refused to confirm whether she would be the next prime minister.

THE Gandhi political dynasty prepared for a return to power yesterday after it was handed a stunning victory in India’s elections.

The ruling BJP party conceded defeat in India’s parliamentary elections today, opening the way for Sonia Gandhi to become India’s first foreign-born prime minister in one of the most dramatic political upsets since independence.

The opposition Congress party and its allies scored unexpectedly strong gains in India’s Parliament elections as the nail-biting finale to the polls seemed to be heading for an upset.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ruling coalition said it was “confident” it would secure a majority in Parliament when final election results are counted tomorrow, though exit polls indicated a hung legislature was likely.

India held the fifth and final phase of the world’s largest democratic election today, amid doubts over whether Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be returned to power with a stable government.

Police armed with video cameras and soldiers with automatic rifles were among a million security forces on alert in 16 Indian states for today’s voting in the fifth and final phase of three-week Parliament elections in the world’s largest democracy.

Indian exit polls showed tonight that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ruling coalition may fall short of winning a majority of parliament seats after voting in the fourth round of the general election.

India’s Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee flashed a “V” sign for victory as he voted in today’s round of parliamentary elections and expressed confidence he would be returned to office for another five years, despite predictions his coalition might lose seats.

AN opinion poll ahead of today’s penultimate phase of India’s general elections showed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coalition surging ahead of its rivals, but falling short of a majority in parliament.

An opinion poll ahead of tomorrow’s penultimate phase of India’s general elections showed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coalition surging ahead of its rivals, but falling short of a majority in parliament.

The Indian stock market went into freefall today after general election exit polls predicted a hung Parliament – which some feared could hurt the current agenda of economic liberalisation.

MILITANTS struck polling sites with grenades, rifles and bombs yesterday as Indians from Goan beaches to Himalayan mountains voted in a crucial third round of elections that will decide the fate of opposition leader Sonia Gandhi and her son, first-time candidate Rahul.

At least 11 people died and 18 were injured in violent clashes as Indians started voting today in parliament elections expected to return Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s governing coalition to power for another five years.

Indians braved attacks by separatists and communists as they started voting today in parliament elections expected to return Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s governing coalition to power for another five years.

THE world’s largest democracy begins polling its citizens today from cities to remote Himalayan valleys for parliamentary elections.

The world’s largest democracy starts polling its citizens tomorrow from cities to remote Himalayan valleys for parliamentary elections expected to re-elect the governing coalition thanks to a booming economy and peace prospects with neighbouring Pakistan.

NUCLEAR rivals India and Pakistan yesterday reached agreement on the timetable for sustained peace talks on disputed Kashmir and other tough issues separating the South Asian neighbours.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan began historic meetings today aimed at preparing the way for a sustained peace dialogue on Kashmir and other disputes that have kept the neighbours at loggerheads for decades.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan began historic meetings today aimed at preparing the way for a sustained peace dialogue on Kashmir and other disputes that have kept them at loggerheads for decades.

Islamic militants fighting Indian control over Kashmir vowed today they would not halt their insurgency despite an agreement between India and Pakistan to start peace talks that will include their bitter dispute over the divided Himalayan territory.

India and Pakistan took a giant leap to put more than a half-century of bloodshed behind them, agreeing today to start talks next month on core disputes of nationalism and religion that have taken the nuclear-armed nations into three wars.

The leaders of India and Pakistan discussed ways to resolve the poisonous dispute over Kashmir during their historic meeting on the sidelines of a South Asian summit, Pakistani officials said today, predicting a breakthrough in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Building on momentum toward better relations after a half-century of venom, the leaders of nuclear rivals Pakistan and India held much-anticipated face-to-face talks today.

Pakistan’s military president met with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today on the sidelines of a South Asian summit, building on momentum toward better relations after a half-century of venom.

India’s prime minister called on South Asia’s nations to put aside a long history of suspicion and “petty rivalries” and embrace a future of trust and understanding, before a historic meeting with his Pakistani counterpart.

Leaders of India and Pakistan held their first direct talks today since they nearly went to war two years ago.

India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party wrested control of three of four state legislatures in elections seen as a strong indicator for the country’s parliamentary ballot next year.

INDIA’S ruling Hindu nationalist party wrested control from the opposition in three of four state legislatures, according to election results yesterday.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Hindu nationalist party today won unexpected victories over the incumbent Congress party in three state elections.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Hindu nationalist party today won unexpected victories over the incumbent Congress party in three state elections.

Pakistan’s prime minister today announced a cease-fire by forces on the Line of Control that divides the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, where fire is routinely exchanged with India.

INDIA unveiled unprecedented proposals to normalise relations with rival Pakistan yesterday, offering to talk with separatist politicians in Kashmir and giving new hope to families divided by five decades of conflict.

PAKISTAN yesterday test-launched a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, saying it was the first in a series of tests in the next few days.

Pakistan successfully test fired a medium-range nuclear-capable missile early today, an army spokesman told The Associated Press.

Indian troops set fire to a hotel in Kashmir’s summer capital today after a gun battle with Islamic guerrillas that left six people dead.

India will send a spacecraft to the moon before 2008, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee pledged today in his Independence Day address.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf invited a delegation of Indian MPs to his home in Islamabad for tea today, following a peace conference between officials from the South Asian nuclear rivals.

India today rejected a US request for peacekeeping troops in Iraq, saying it would consider sending soldiers only under a United Nations mandate.

Heads of state of leading developing countries gathered in Switzerland today for a series of meetings on the sidelines of the summit of Group of Eight leading world powers.