Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has cancelled all engagements for the next few days due to ill health, his officials say.

He has been advised complete rest for the next two to three days

Official statement

A statement from his office said Mr Vajpayee, 77, is being treated for an upper respiratory tract infection.

Doctors have advised him to rest for two or three days.

The official statement said: "He has an upper respiratory tract infection. This has been diagnosed as a viral infection."

"There has been some improvement in his condition.

"However, symptoms persist and he has been advised complete rest for the next two to three days."

Sore throat

Mr Vajpayee made a brief appearance at a news conference in his parliamentary constituency in Luknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday.

But he did not address those present, saying he had a sore throat.

He cut short his visit and returned to Delhi early.

All of Mr Vajpayee's meetings were cancelled on Monday.

The prime minister's health came under public scrutiny earlier in the year when Time magazine detailed alleged bladder, liver and kidney problems.

Its report also said Mr Vajpayee frequently fell asleep at meetings, had long naps in the afternoon and enjoyed a nightly whisky or two - suggestions the government angrily denied.