Torch reaches locked-down Delhi

The Olympic flame has reached the Indian capital Delhi from Pakistan amid tight security on the latest leg of its troubled tour before the Beijing Games.

Many Tibetans live in the country and exiles tried to storm the Chinese embassy on 21 March.

Some 15,000 police and commandos have locked down the heart of the city where the torch relay will be held.

The flame's journey has so far seen chaotic scenes in London, Paris and San Francisco amid pro-Tibet protests.

Secret timing

A least 50 Tibetans were detained by police at a rally in front of the Chinese embassy on Wednesday.

The flame came through Delhi airport, where it was received by Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of the Indian Olympic Association.

The torch was then driven along a route into the city lined with hundreds of police.

No times have been given for the relay on Thursday amid fears of protests by the 100,000-strong Tibetan exile community.

India has trimmed the relay route to a third of the original 9-km (5-mile) distance.

All that is clear, the BBC's Alastair Lawson reports from Delhi, is that 70 people - including sports stars and actors - will carry the flame along the Rajpath - or King's path - the ceremonial avenue in central Delhi.

"We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," Junior Home Minister Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.

Canberra braced

Thousands of Pakistani police and troops were deployed for Wednesday's relay in Islamabad.

The relay was confined, for security reasons, to a sports stadium.

Our correspondent in Islamabad, Barbara Plett, says that because of the strong friendship between Pakistan and China, there was less fear of disruption by protests.

Other cities preparing to receive the torch are also making preparations.

In the Australian capital Canberra, police have been given extra powers to search those watching the relay for items such as guns and knives.

There are fears of clashes between Chinese supporters and Tibetan groups protesting about their rights, with both sides planning to have a large presence at the Australian relay event next week.