Vodafone says keen Essar remains Indian partner

BARCELONA, Feb 11 (Reuters) Britain's Vodafone Group Plc said on Sunday it wanted India's Essar group to stay on as its partner in Indian mobile operator Hutchison Essar, but had an alternative plan if the Indian conglomerate preferred to sell out.

Vodafone Chief Executive Arun Sarin also told reporters that he did not think Essar, which already owns a 33 percent stake in the business, has a right of first refusal to the 67 percent stake Vodafone plans to buy from Hong Kong's Hutchison Telecom International .

Vodafone earlier announced that it had agreed to buy Hutchison's 67 percent stake in a deal that values the Indian company at .8 billion including debt.

REUTERS DKS BST0240