BackTata said to seek Modi govt nod to resolve $1.2 billion DoCoMo spat
Tata Sons plans to reapply to the RBI and finance ministry for permission to pay the arbitration award to NTT DoCoMo
Premium
Mumbai: Tata Sons Ltd, reversing course after ousting chairman Cyrus Mistry, plans to seek Indian approval to pay $1.17 billion to estranged partner NTT DoCoMo Inc. as it looks for an amicable solution to their legal tussle, people with knowledge of the matter said.
Ratan Tata, who suddenly returned to the helm of India’s largest conglomerate last week, has restarted discussions with NTT DoCoMo on resolving the dispute outside the courts, according to the people. Tata Sons plans to reapply to the Reserve Bank of India and finance ministry for permission to pay the arbitration award to NTT DoCoMo, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.
NTT DoCoMo has been fighting Tata Sons over the right to sell its stake in their Indian wireless venture for at least 50% of the original investment. The Japanese company has asked an Indian court to enforce an order it won in June from the London Court of International Arbitration, which ruled Tata should pay $1.17 billion to NTT DoCoMo. The Indian central bank has signalled such a payment would violate foreign investment rules.
Also read: The Tatas and a matter of trust
The companies believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to resolve the spat, which has been cited as an example of the difficulty of doing business in the country, according to the people. India’s government, which previously rejected a Tata Sons request to pay the arbitration award to NTT DoCoMo, would be willing to consider a new application, one of the people said.
Legal representatives from both companies plan to meet soon to discuss a friendly solution to the dispute, another person said.
Also read: Who owns how much in Tata group firms?
A spokesman for Tata Group said he has no comment, as the matter is subject to legal action. Yousuke Oowada, spokesman for NTT DoCoMo, and D.S. Malik, a spokesman for the Indian finance ministry, also declined to comment. The Reserve Bank of India didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
NTT DoCoMo chief executive officer Kazuhiro Yoshizawa said last week the Indian government will need to take action to resolve the disagreement. Bloomberg
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
