Blair fails to make his mark

Tony Blair's claim to a "pivotal role" in world affairs faced a critical test today as he embarked on the final stages of his Asia trip.

The Prime Minister headed from India for talks in Pakistan aimed to "calm" the tension which has brought the two countries to the brink of war. However his impact in Delhi was muted at best, amid evidence that India resents outside interference from any quarter.

The United States was reported to be in retreat over proposals for President Bush to despatch a special envoy to the region after public protest from the Indian government-Mr Blair spoke early today to President Bush. But the British side said after the 15-minute telephone call that the Prime Minister was not carrying any new peace proposals either on his own behalf or that of the President.

Instead, Mr Blair and his Indian counterpart, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, signed a New Delhi Declaration which even the Indian leader dismissed as "bland". The two countries remain deadlocked over India's demand for Pakistan to hand over 20 terrorists it believes were behind last month's attack on the Parliament in Delhi which left 14 dead.

Mr Blair, at a press conference with Mr Vajpayee, refused to be drawn on that specific demand or on suggestions that India should begin talks with Pakistan regardless.

There was no sign that Mr Blair had made significant progress in his relatively brief private talks, either. A British source said: "We don't go with blueprints. We do not go with specific proposals, because those are matters for India and Pakistan."

The caution, however justified, contrasted strongly with Mr Blair's declaration only two days ago in a speech in Bangalore that Britain was uniquely placed to be a force for good.

Mr Blair and his wife Cherie today continued their lengthy and at times leisurely tour of the subcontinent with a visit to the British Council in Delhi where they met both scientists and schoolchildren before heading on to the Pakistan capital, Islamabad.