Saturday, March 18 2006 14:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The controversy over publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad has forced cancellation of the visit of Denmark Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussento India after New Delhi conveyed to Copenhagen that this was not the 'optimal time' for the tour.

Rasmussen was scheduled to undertake a six-day visit here from April two but the widespread protests over publication of the cartoons in a Danish daily prompted India to seek a cancellation of the visit at this moment.

"Both sides decided that this was not the optimal time for the visit," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said here today(Mar 18,2006).

He said New Delhi looked forward to an appropriate time later.