Indian PM says economic reform should continue

The Indian Prime Minister, I K Gujral, says his country's reforms towards a more open de-regulated economy are irreversible and it cannot afford to halt them.

Addressing an annual conference in Madras which promotes links between Indian industry and world business leaders, Mr Gujral admitted that the economic liberalisation process had created problems, and he said direct foreign investment had fallen short of expectations.

But he said there was a general consensus among India's political parties that the reforms should continue.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service