The Indian government has blocked the national cricket team's proposed tour to Pakistan, a Sports Ministry official has revealed.

India have not played a full Test series in Pakistan since 1989 and the tour has been in doubt due to political tensions between the two countries over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India had asked the government to announce its decision by Wednesday to give it enough time to organise the trip.

The official said Sports Minister Uma Bharti, who had endorsed the External Affairs Ministry's stand not to go ahead with the tour, had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Tuesday evening.

India were due to play three Tests and five one-day internationals in Pakistan from December to February.

Over the past decade, the Indian team have travelled to Pakistan only once, for a one-day series two years ago.

Pakistan broke the deadlock between the two nations when they toured India for a three-Test series in 1999, after a gap of 12 years.