CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOUK's Vodafone and its Indian partner Essar today said they would be working to become the largest mobile operator in India, and explore opportunities in the telecom space in the Middle-East. "We would explore growth opportunities in the Middle- East," Essar vice chairman Ravi Ruia said at a joint press conference with Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin to announce a partnership deal for India's fourth largest mobile firm Hutch-Essar, which would be rechristened Vodafone Essar.The joint venture partners would look to expand services to 22 circles from the present 16. The company already has licences for the six circles. "The partnership would create next generation telecom business in India," Ruia said.Sarin said Vodafone would use its operations in 25 countries to supplement its Indian business. Asked about his plans to capture 25 per cent market share by 2010, Sarin said: "We are clearly determined to be number one player."Bharti Airtel is the market leader with over 33 million subscribers. On Bharti Airtel chief Sunil Mittal's plan to invest $8 billion by 2010, Sarin said: "I would not join issue with others, but we would put in everything that is needed to become number one."
