The US food and drinks combine, PepsiCo, has agreed a marketing pact for the Indian market with Hindustan Lever Ltd, the largest food and personal care goods company in India. The agreement will see the two companies jointly market hot and cold drinks.

The move follows the decision by Coca-Cola’s Indian arm to diversify into the $1.12 billion readymade tea and coffee market in India. Hindustan Lever, which is 51%-owned by Unilever, said brands including Lipton tea, Taj Mahal tea and Pepsi-Cola would be marketed through a “combined fountain, vending and institutional initiative”.