Dockworkers at eleven state-run ports in India have called off their five-day strike.

The announcement came on the second day of talks in Delhi, following what union leaders said was a written assurance from the transport minister, Rajnath Singh.

Details of the deal are not clear, but the minister said he had given assurances that outstanding issues would be resolved by the end of March.

The Press Trust of India says two of the five dockers' federations have expressed unhappiness at the outcome. In a separate dispute, the state authorities in Uttar Pradesh have launched a recruitment drive to replace striking electricity workers.

About five-hundred strikers have so far been sacked, including two union leaders.

The week-long dispute over plans to privatise the power sector has caused severe disruption to water and electricity supplies.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service