The world largest stock exchange NYSE and three other foreign investors have bought a 20 per cent stake in the National Stock Exchange, India biggest bourse, in a deal valued at around $460 million (Rs 2,070 crore).

NYSE will invest $115 million for 5 per cent — the maximum holding allowed per investor — of NSE, while Goldman Sachs, General Atlantic and Softbank Asian Infrastructure Fund will each acquire 5 per cent stakes.

“This alliance marks a significant milestone for NSE in developing a place for itself in the emerging global scenario,” NSE chief executive Ravi Narain told reporters. With more Indian firms looking to list overseas, it was natural that foreign exchanges were keen on a presence in India, he said.

NYSE would buy the stake from a consortium of sellers including ICICI Bank, IFCI, IL&FS, Punjab National Bank and General Insurance Corp of India. “Our investment complements our global growth strategy,” NYSE chief executive John Thain said.

The Reserve Bank of India has capped total foreign investment in stock exchanges at 49 per cent, including direct investment of 26 per cent and investments by portfolio investors of 23 per cent. The investment limit for a single investor was set at 5 per cent by SEBI.

Daily turnover on the National Stock Exchange averaged Rs 7,230 crore over the past six months, more than twice the value traded on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

BSE is also holding talks with bourses like Nasdaq and London Stock Exchange for stake sale.