Sarin holds parleys with Ruias

Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin today met key members of the Ruia family, as part of efforts to woo the Essar Group to ensure smooth sailing of mobile venture Hutch-Essar, where the UK company is acquiring majority stake.

Sarin, fresh from clinching the deal with Hutchison Telecom earlier this week, along with his top lieutenants from Vodafone met Essar Chairman Shashi Ruia, Vice Chairman Ravi Ruia, Essar Group Directors Prashant and Anshuman at the Ruia residence here.

The meeting comes amid reports that Essar was peeved by Vodafone's announcement relating to network sharing with rival Bharti Airtel without consulting the group, which holds 33 per cent stake in Hutch-Essar and that the Indian partner was contemplating legal action.

Ahead of the meeting, Sarin had yesterday sought to placate Ruias saying: "It is our sincere desire that Ruias continue.... It is my first, second and third preference to have them as our partners," while promising to deliver roses on the occasion of Valentine's Day.