India's United Breweries has suggested close distribution ties with Heineken following the takeover offer by the Dutch brewer and Carlsberg for Scottish & Newcastle, which owns a stake in UB.

As part of the £7.8bn ($15.5bn) deal, recommended by S&N last week, Heineken will assume the UK-based company's 37.5 per cent stake in UB and, under local law, the move could trigger an open offer for a further 20 per cent stake.