The Group of Ministers agreed that the event on October 3 should begin at 7pm.

The row started when the New Delhi organising committee asked the starting time to be move to 5.30pm following a request from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, who claimed that it was that contract with them that stipulated that start time.

But the group planning the ceremony had wanted a 7.30pm start because they claimed that the laser show and firework display they had planned would work only after dark.

Shyam Benegal, a member of the creative group, had written to the Group of Ministers complaining that the time might be changed.

He wrote: "Which audience is more important to us, our own or Australia's?"

Prasoon Joshi, another member of the creative group, welcomed the decision to start the opening ceremony at 7pm.

He said: "The two-and-half hours' show will be spectacular and will have many surprising elements.

"We are not giving details but it would be worth watching."

India's Sports Minister M S Gill said: "We are happy that the issue has been resolved."