The Indian cabinet has decided to seek presidential permission that will enable it to make amendments to the country's law on patents in order to comply with conditions laid down by the World Trade Organisation.

The WTO has given India until April to change its law to comply with international patent norms.

Correspondents say the cabinet is keen to change the patent laws in order to make the Indian market more attractive to foreign investors.

However opposition parties are against the move, fearing that it may lead to price increases that will hit the poor hardest.