Naga rebels head to Delhi

Two exiled Naga separatist leaders are due to return to India for talks aimed at ending 50 years of violence in the country's longest running ethnic rebellion.

They will join a delegation of other leaders from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in Delhi.

The meeting will include talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister LK Advani.

A BBC correspondent says the talks are not likely to result in a breakthrough.

However, he says the fact that Naga separatist leaders have agreed to negotiate on Indian soil for the first time in 30 years, points to their growing confidence in the Indian leadership.

The Nagas have been fighting for an independent homeland since 1947.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service