Airtel says not in talks to buy Vodafone UK’s stake in Indus Towers

Bharti Airtel is not in talks to buy UK-based Vodafone Group’s 21.05 per cent stake in Indus Towers, the Indian telecom operator said on Wednesday, after a newspaper reported that it was eyeing the stake.

The Economic Times said in a report that if the deal went through, Vodafone Group could infuse some of the proceeds into Vodafone Idea, its cash-strapped Indian venture with Aditya Birla Group.

“The company has no desire to raise its stake beyond what is required for financial consolidation of Indus in the company, which shall be done as and when appropriate with compliance of applicable disclosure requirements,” Airtel said in an exchange filing.