Coke and Pepsi halt sponsorship in Indian state

Coca-cola and Pepsi have cancelled all sponsorship of events in the western Indian state of Gujarat, in response to attacks on their vehicles.

Mobs in several Gujarat districts have been attacking lorries operated by the American soft drinks manufacturers.

The BBC correspondent in India says there are allegations that two right-wing Hindu parties in the region -- Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Shiv Sena -- are behind the attacks, but this was denied by a local party leader, who said his party nevertheless welcomed boycotts of foreign brands.

Coke and Pepsi have already withdrawn support for two events, and a scheduled exhibition by five American companies has been postponed indefinitely.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service