The Hindu Business Line : Mahajan open to talks with Tatas on VSNL

THE Union Communications Minister, Mr Pramod Mahajan, has softened his stand on Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL), stating that he is open to talks with the Tatas to resolve the controversy surrounding its decision to invest in Tata Teleservices Ltd.

Speaking to newspersons after a joint meeting with the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and the Disinvestment Minister, Mr Arun Shourie, he stated that legal action is being contemplated only as the last resort. Before that, the Minister said, he would prefer to sort out the issue with the Tatas over the next few days.

He said that there were no differences on the issue between him and Mr Shourie. Neither were there any differences within the Bharatiya Janata Party, he said.

Mr Mahajan refused to comment on the VSNL proposal to sell its stake in Intelsat and Inmarsat, saying that it was an internal matter of the company. He had raised objections to the investment in Tata Teleservices because the amount involved was huge (Rs 1,200 crore), he said.

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