The Tata Group, which has a joint venture with AIG for life insurance business (Tata AIG), reserved its comments on the American company selling its Asian operations to British insurance major Prudential earlier in the day today.

"Any comment will be made only after studying the statement made by AIG in the US. As of now, it is business as usual for Tata AIG," a Tata Group spokesperson told PTI when reached for comments.

Earlier in the day, Prudential snapped up AIG's Asia operations (AIA) for $35.5 billion in a cash-stock deal. Announcing the deal in New York today morning, AIG president and chief executive officer Bob Benmosche said the sale is an effort at restructuring the bankrupt company's business and payback the US taxpayers.

AIG has entered into definitive agreement for sale of the AIA Group, to Prudential for $ 35.5 billion, including $ 25 billion in cash, $ 8.5 billion in face value of equity and equity-linked securities, and $ 2 billion in face value of preferred stocks of Prudential, subject to closing adjustments, he said.

"This transaction, the most significant milestone to date in our ongoing effort to repay taxpayers, also gives us greater flexibility to move forward with AIG's restructuring and focus on enhancing the value of our key insurance businesses, which will benefit all stakeholders," Benmosche said.