BSNL open to joining consortium for Zain

NEW DELHI: State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) is still open to joining the consortium to buy a stake in Kuwait���s Zain, but the telco is sceptical about a little-known Indian company leading the deal.

BSNL CMD Kuldeep Goyal on Thursday said BSNL was still considering whether to join India���s Vavasi Group and a Malaysian businessman to buy a 46% stake in Kuwaiti telecom Zain. The deal, if finalised, would be valued at about $13.7 billion. ���It is a huge deal. So, we have to see what is there in the consortium, what can be done,��� he added.

MTNL has also been approached to join the consortium. But, earlier this month, both the telcos had denied any association with such a grouping.