Ambani rivalry showing signs of thawing: Forbes

NEW YORK: The infamous family settlement battle between Mukesh Ambani and his younger brother Anil has shown signs of thawing, but the siblings' rivalry still makes to the US business magazine Forbes' list of top billionaire battles in the world.

"In September (2008) Anil sued Mukesh for defamation over a New York Times interview.... Their ongoing legal battle over gas supply deal has disrupted the Indian energy industry," Forbes said in a new report.

"Still there are signs of thawing: Last February, brothers co-hosted mom's 75th birthday party," the magazine said, naming the Ambanis' rivalry alongside the one between Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and media baron Rupert Murdoch.

"Once inseparable brothers fought over control of India's largest company Reliance, founded by their late father. Their mother, Kokilaben, brokered peace and divided up the company in 2005. Mukesh got pertrochemicals giant Reliance Industries, while Anil gained control over communications, energy, and financial holdings," Forbes said.

"Still, the squabbling continued. In July 2008, Mukesh helped scuttle the mega-merger of Anil's Reliance Communications with South Africa's MTN. In September, Anil sued Mukesh for defamation over an interview he gave to the New York Times," the report added.