Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin and Essar vice-chairman Ravi Ruia, the two companies in the race for Hutch Essar Ltd, on Wednesday met Finance Minister P Chidambaram separately.
During the meeting with Chidambaram, Sarin is understood to have discussed the British company's future plans in India, sources said.
Sarin and Ruia's meeting with Chidambaram assume significance in the wake of Vodafone announcing today that it was open to partner with Essar for HEL.
Vodafone has already started the due diligence of HEL, while bankers of Essar, which has 33
per cent stake in the joint venture company, are likely to initiate a similar process in a day or two.
Essar group chairman Shashi Ruia had earlier this week said they were interested to buyout Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecom's 67 per cent stake from the joint venture.
Earlier in the day, the India-born CEO of the world's largest mobile operator met Commerce Minister Kamal Nath Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran.