In a $10.7-billion deal, Bharti Airtel is said to have successfully completed the acquisition of Zain. This is also the largest overseas acquisition of assets in Africa by an Indian company, even though it does not cover the Kuwaiti company's operations in Sudan and Morocco.
"Bharti is now among the five largest mobile operators in the world. This will further strengthen the historic Indo-African economic and social ties and provide a big boost to South-South cooperation," said Group Chairman Sunil Mittal.
The total customer base of Bharti now stands at over 180 million in 18 countries. The shares of Bharti Airtel, however, were 3.51 per cent down at Rs.258.50 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
