June 23 (Reuters) - U.S.-based private equity firm

Warburg Pincus is in talks to sell its stake in State Bank of

India's general insurance arm, Bloomberg News reported

on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Warburg Pincus is negotiating with Premji Invest, the

investment unit of Indian billionaire Azim Premji, and SBI, the

country's largest lender, to divest its 10% stake in SBI General

Insurance, the report said.

The transaction could value SBI General Insurance at as much

as $4.5 billion, Bloomberg News reported.

Reuters could not independently verify the report. Warburg

Pincus, Premji Invest, and SBI did not immediately respond to

Reuters' request for comment.

Premji Invest and a Warburg Pincus affiliate bought 16.01%

and 9.99% interests in SBI General, respectively, in 2019, in a

deal worth $432.38 million.

State Bank of India currently owns about 70% of SBI General

Insurance.