Prudential Acquires 75% Stake in Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 Crore
British insurer Prudential plc agreed to acquire a 75% majority stake in India’s Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 crore, marking its first management control of an Indian life insurer. To comply with regulatory limits on multiple insurance holdings, Prudential will reduce its stake in ICICI Prudential Life to below 10%. Bharti Enterprises’ ownership will drop to 25%, while 360 ONE exits completely. This strategic move highlights significant consolidation in India’s insurance sector, leveraging Prudential’s global expertise and Bharti’s local presence to expand life and health protection solutions.
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Prudential plc Acquires 75% Stake in Bharti Life Insurance to Expand in India
Prudential plc (NYSE: PUK) announced on May 18, 2026, an agreement to acquire a 75% stake in Indian life insurer Bharti Life Insurance Company Limited for $389 million, subject to regulatory approvals. The acquisition is part of Prudential's strategic repositioning of its India operations, combining its global insurance expertise with Bharti's local presence to serve Indian consumers' savings and protection needs. Prudential aims to leverage the deal to enhance insurance access in India, supporting the goal of insurance for all by 2047. Completion will consolidate Prudential India operations into Bharti Life Insurance and Prudential HCL Health Insurance. Prudential plc is a financial services group providing life insurance, health insurance, and asset management across Asia and Africa.
Yahoo FinanceICICI Bank to Retain Majority Stake in ICICI Pru Life as Prudential Exits
ICICI Bank has confirmed it will retain its majority shareholding in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited. This decision follows an agreement by its joint venture partner, Prudential plc, to acquire a 75% controlling stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company Limited. As part of this new acquisition, regulatory requirements mandate that Prudential reduce its existing holding in ICICI Prudential Life to below 10% and cease being classified as a promoter. Currently, ICICI Bank holds approximately 51% of the life insurer, while Prudential owns 21.91%. ICICI Bank reiterated its long-term commitment to maintaining majority ownership. Financially, ICICI Prudential Life reported strong performance for FY26, with a 34.6% year-on-year increase in profit after tax to Rs 1,600 crore and a 10.5% rise in embedded value. Following the announcement, shares of ICICI Prudential Life dropped significantly, hitting a 52-week low before partially recovering. The transaction involving Bharti Life is subject to regulatory approvals.
Economic TimesPrudential Acquires 75% Stake in Bharti Life Insurance for Rs 3,500 Crore
British insurer Prudential has agreed to acquire a 75% majority stake in Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 crore, marking its first management control of an Indian life insurance company. Under the deal, Bharti Enterprises will reduce its holding from 85% to 25%, while 360 One Asset Management will exit by selling its entire 15% stake. The transaction is funded through Prudential's existing resources, leveraging its strong cash position of $4.3 billion. To comply with regulatory norms, Prudential must reduce its current 22% shareholding in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to below 10%, a process currently under discussion with regulators. This move underscores Prudential's strategic focus on India, a market where Bharti Life recently reported a 44% year-on-year growth in new business premiums. Additionally, Prudential is pursuing other ventures in India, including a standalone health insurance joint venture with the HCL Group. The deal highlights the strengthening economic ties between the UK and India, offering new growth opportunities for Bharti Life employees and customers.
Economic TimesPrudential to Acquire 75% Stake in Bharti Life for Rs 3,500 Crore
British insurer Prudential has agreed to acquire a 75% majority stake in India's Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 crore, marking its first management control of an Indian life insurance company. Under the deal, Bharti Enterprises will reduce its ownership from 85% to 25%, while 360 One Asset Management will exit completely by selling its 15% holding. Regulatory approval is contingent upon Prudential reducing its current 22% stake in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to below 10%. Prudential plans to fund the acquisition using existing cash reserves, citing strong liquidity with $4.3 billion in cash and short-term investments. The move underscores Prudential's strategic focus on the Indian market, where Bharti Life recently reported a 44% year-on-year increase in new business premiums. Additionally, Prudential is developing a separate health insurance venture with the HCL Group. The transaction highlights a significant consolidation in India's insurance sector, allowing Prudential to expand its footprint while providing Bharti Enterprises and 360 One with profitable exit or reduction opportunities.
Economic TimesPrudential Acquires 75% Stake in Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 Crore
Prudential plc has announced an agreement to acquire a 75% controlling stake in Bharti Life Insurance, promoted by Bharti Enterprises, for ₹3,500 crore, with an additional potential payment of ₹700 crore contingent on specific conditions. To comply with Indian regulations prohibiting entities from holding more than a 10% stake in multiple insurance companies, Prudential plans to reduce its existing nearly 22% holding in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to below 10%. Proceeds from this divestment will partly fund Bharti Life's growth. Consequently, Bharti Enterprises' ownership in Bharti Life will decrease to 25%, while 360 ONE Asset Management will exit completely. Prudential CEO Anil Wadhwani described the move as a strategic combination of global expertise and local presence to serve Indian consumers. Additionally, Prudential is establishing a separate health insurance joint venture with the HCL Group, expected to launch in 2026. This transaction mirrors recent trends of global insurers reshaping partnerships in India, such as Allianz's shift to Jio Financial.
Home PagePrudential to Acquire 75% Stake in Bharti’s Insurance Business for Rs 3,500 Crore
Prudential plc has announced an agreement to acquire a 75% majority stake in Bharti Life Insurance Company Limited from Bharti Life Ventures Pvt Ltd and 360 ONE Asset Management for Rs 3,500 crore. This strategic partnership aims to leverage Prudential’s global insurance expertise and Bharti’s strong local presence to expand life and health protection solutions across India. The deal implies a valuation of approximately Rs 4,600 crore for the entire business, marking a significant increase from previous valuations. As part of regulatory compliance, Prudential will reduce its existing 22% stake in its joint venture with ICICI Bank. The transaction, described as a formidable alliance by Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, is subject to regulatory approvals and other standard closing conditions. This move represents the second major exit of a foreign partner from an Indian insurance joint venture, following Allianz's departure from Bajaj Finserve, highlighting ongoing consolidation and transformation within India's rapidly evolving life insurance sector.
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