Essar Group Chairman, Shashi Ruia, said: "It is a historic day for Essar. The transaction demonstrates our unique ability to build world-class assets and create immense value in our businesses. The monetisation of our stake in Essar Oil will help drive the next level of growth for our other businesses."

Prashant Ruia, Director, and Essar, said: "We have once again reinforced our unique expertise in project incubation, execution, value creation and monetisation. We have established world-class assets that have attracted the attention of leading global companies and investors. The deals we have done have led to an FDI infusion of more than $30 billion into India."

Igor Sechin, CEO, Rosneft, said: "This is a significant milestone for the Company. Rosneft is entering one of the most promising and fast-growing world markets. At the same time, this project provides unique opportunities for synergies with the existing assets of the Company and is consistent with Rosneft's enhanced presence in the fast growing markets of other APR countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam and The Philippines."

Jeremy Weir, Chief Executive Officer of Trafigura, said: "This is an important and exciting investment. Essar Oil occupies a strategic position in the global oil market and owns world-class refining and infrastructure assets that will create multiple synergies with our trading business."

Ilya Sherbovich, Managing Partner of UCP, stated: "We are very pleased to reach an agreement to acquire shares of Essar Oil Limited. This is a top-tier asset operating in the promising Indian market, one of the largest and rapidly developing economies in the world. The announced transaction establishes a strategic partnership between our investment consortium members. Deal participants have extensive operational and financial expertise, which we believe will help to unlock significant value and provide strong financial results for all investors."

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