Vodafone, the world's largest mobile firm, today acquired a 10% stake in Sunil Mittal-promoted Bharti Tele-Ventures for Rs 6,700 crore ($1.5 billion). This is the single largest foreign investment in India so far. Vodafone picked up 5.65% stake from Warburg Pincus and 4.4% through Bharti Enterprises. With this transaction, Warburg Pincus has now completely exited from Bharti Tele-Ventures. Sunil Mittal, chairman and group managing director of Bharti, said: "We are delighted that Vodafone has made a call on the Indian telecom sector, and has chosen Bharti Tele-Ventures to be the vehicle to develop its continuing interest in the Asian region." |