Both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and London 2012 are being encouraged by India to end their association with Dow because of its link to Union Carbide, whose Indian subsidiary ran a pesticide plant in Bhopal at which a gas leak allegedly killed up to 25,000 people in 1984.

But Cameron claimed that he did not believed Dow should be stopped from sponsoring the IOC or London 2012 and India should not use the Games to try to make a point.

"Obviously, people have a difficulty with individual Olympics sponsors," he said in an interview with Indian television channel CNN-IBN broadcast today.

"I don't happen to share that view.

"People who do [have a problem] may take it up with the IOC and they have to make their own decisions.

"What I am saying as British Prime Minister wanting to see the Olympics to be successful is I want to see the Olympics not used for industrial or political or other purposes.

"I cannot see a problem with the International Olympic Committee being sponsored by Dow.

"Therefore, I cannot complain about Dow sponsoring the London Olympics.

"It is their [the IOC] decision making process.

"I do not criticise their decision making process."

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) have consistently claimed that they will not stay away from London 2012 because of the row but there remains powerful groups within the Indian Government who are trying to get them to use the Games to make some form of protest over Dow.

Dow's sponsorship deal has also been backed by Jacques Rogge, the President of the IOC, and Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012.

Cameron (pictured) pointed out that Dow Chemicals was not the owner of Union Carbide when the gas disaster took place, only buying the company in 2001, 17 years after Bhopal.

"Of course I understand the anger there is," he said.

"The huge suffering that happened at Bhopal and afterwards, and in fact my heart still goes out to all those who suffered from that appalling tragedy.

"I can remember as a young man reading about that and being profoundly shocked by what happened.

"But I think we do have to recognise...important points.

"Dow was not the owner of Union Carbide at the time, so this is a different company and a different business.

"It would be a very sad day [if India boycott London 2012 over Dow].

"By all means, take up the issue with the International Olympics Committee (IOC) but a boycott will not be the right action.

"I will be very sad for Indian athletes, sad for India, Britain, of course.

"I will be desperately sad.

"But I cannot tell people to come.

"I have fulfilled all my responsibilities.

"I hope the Indian athletes will come."

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