Support at the highest level for Bharti-MTN merger

PITTSBURGH: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took out time at the G20 summit to talk to South African president Zuma on the Bharti-MTN deal, Dr Singh said at a press conference here in Pittsburgh, convened to explain the outcome of the G20 meet that concluded Friday afternoon.

He expressed support for the deal and also stated India's willingness to discuss any outstanding issues. The Prime Minister also said that he was against any discrimination against a particular company in this context. It assumes significance that the prime minister. even while not having a full-fledged bilateral meeting with the South African leader, made this effort to have a conversation with him to express support for the deal.

The reference to outstanding issues can only be to the demand raised by the South African government for a dual listed structure for the merged telecom operator. India's laws do not provide, at present, for a dual listed structure for companies.