Renewing a British pasport in India: 2012

Hi there,

I am hoping someone can help me answer some vexing questions about renewing my passport in India.

I am a UK citizen currently travelling in China on a British pasport. In about a months time I will enter India where I will stay for approximately 6 weeks. I already have a VISA for India, which I obtained in London.

After India I will travel to Bangladesh. However, I have insufficient pages left in my passport to accommodate a Bangladeshi VISA. Consequently, I will need to renew my British passport in Delhi. I have read the information about passport renewals on the UK High Commission website, but have four unanswered questions:

1. Can I continue to travel in India without my British passport (or VISA), as I will need to surrender this to obtain a new one - will a photo copy of my current passport and VISA for India be accepted in hostels/hotels?;
2. Alternatively, do I need to obtain a temporary travel document in order to continue to travel in India if I do not have my original passport and VISA? If so, which document do I need and where and how can I obtain this?
3. Will it be possible to transfer my existing VISA (for India) into my new passport? Must this be done by the Indian authorities? If so, by whom and where, please?

I am making enquiries with both the British High Commission and the Indian Bureau of Immigration, but am concerned that my eqnuries may fall between two stalls. I'd love to hear from someone who has navigated this path or who can point my in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

OJ