Mumbai, India: India's two main brewing companies are making an effort to get along to stop sales from sliding. United Breweries and Shaw Wallace Breweries, the largest brewing companies in India, are raising a toast to a new phase of cooperation that will see them fight common problems, the Calcutta Telegraph reported.

The rivals, with foreign partners Scottish & Newcastle and SABMiller, control nearly 76 % of Indian beer, but the entrance of foreign companies with a reputation for transparency is helping spur the alliance.

The efforts at burying the hatchet are being spearheaded by the All India Brewers' Association, the main trade group of Indian beer companies, according to the Telegraph.

Shaw Wallace Breweries said an independent study of regulations that could lead to a blueprint for a viable policing regime is already in the works. The alliance could result in agreement on a uniform size and shape of a beer bottle.

05 August, 2003