India is poised to seek bids for its $7.1 billion majority stake in IDBI Bank Ltd., a key step in its long-running effort to privatize the previously-distressed lender and accelerate a divestment push.

Talks with potential suitors are at an advanced stage, according to people familiar with the matter. A government agency is expected to formally open the bidding process as soon as this month, in what could be the biggest state-backed disposal of a bank stake in decades, they said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information.

India is aiming to sell 60.72% in the Mumbai-based lender, which amounts to about $7.1 billion at IDBI Bank’s current market price. The bank, once burdened by heavy bad loans, has emerged from a major cleanup, and returned to profitability in rec

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