A winner in the bidding for Indian operator Hutchison Essar could emerge as early as next week, following reports that Hutchison Telecommunications International (HTIL) has set a weekend deadline for offers.

HTIL is expected to sit down and assess offers for its 67 per cent holding in Hutchison Essar on Sunday.

Vodafone, rival Indian operator Reliance, the Hinduja Group, Altimo and Hutchison Essar minority stakeholder the Essar Group are among those