Cairn-Vedanta merger: Focus is on building existing businesses, say CEOs

Interview with Vedanta's CEO Tom Albanese and Cairn India's acting CEO Sudhir Mathur

Almost two years after announcing the merger with Cairn, Vedanta on Tuesday announced it was complete. Vedanta’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tom Albanese and Cairn India’s acting CEO Sudhir Mathur spoke to Jyoti Mukul over telephone. Edited excerpts:

Earlier, there were investor concerns over the merger. How has the response now been?

Tom Albanese (TA): We have been pleased with the response of both Cairn and Vedanta shareholders. Vedanta comes out stronger. There has been consequent increase in international investor interest. Vedanta stock increased 50 per cent since the merger announcement on June 14, 2015; and 73 per cent