The International Cricket Council on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to India - sign the next Members Participation Agreement or risk losing hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is refusing to sign the MPA despite other members involved in the process ready to sign the agreement which covers major ICC events for the period 2007-2015.

ICC president Percy Sonn said India's refusal was placing the 2011 World Cup in jeopardy.

"If the BCCI fails to agree to the terms of the MPA, it will of course mean that they could not continue as one of the joint hosts of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, thus putting the entire tournament in jeopardy.

"Having said that, we hope agreement can be reached and that common sense will prevail," said Sonn.

The Indian board this week announced it had problems with the agreement's content.

"Six months ago we circulated the MPA for our events from 2007-2015 to our members for comment and over the subsequent months we have had extensive and fruitful negotiations with many of our Members that have helped us develop the contents of the agreement to suit our mutual needs.

"It is thus very disappointing that the BCCI has only recently been able to review the agreement and raise its concerns," said Sonn.

"Our other Members have indicated that they are in a position to sign the MPA and the process is moving forward rapidly.

"This means that, unlike the other members' concerns which were given due consideration over several months, the BCCI will only have a limited opportunity for its concerns to be presented and considered."

Sonn added the new MPA was significantly more flexible than the agreements which regulated participation in ICC events through to 2007.

In particular, he said, the MPA addressed all areas of concern raised by Indian players ahead of previous ICC events and provided more scope for players and boards to maintain their own interests.

He said ICC events were a dominant source of revenue for the majority of the 97 members across the globe and it would be disappointing if India's delay held up the process.

The ICC has given India a further seven days (from Tuesday) to notify it of any and all difficulties it has with the MPA.

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