Tens of thousands of troops and police fanned out across parts of India today as polling stations opened in the world's biggest democratic exercise.

The great-grandson of India’s first prime minister was in custody today over his “Muslim hate speech”, it was reported.

Britain's Deputy Prime minister John Prescott arrived in Delhi today for talks with India’s new leaders aimed at enhancing the strong ties between the two countries, the British High Commission said.

Tough talk over the disputed Kashmir province escalated and security was tightened today, the eve of a landmark summit between India and Pakistan.