NEW DELHI -- Bharti airtel, a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 19 countries across Asia and Africa, in association with China Telecom Corporation today announced the commencement of a direct underground terrestrial link between India and China - the two fastest growing economies in the world. The new terrestrial link will offer robust network and seamless connectivity to customers transiting India or China to reach key global destinations.

With this network, Bharti airtel now establishes a third International Gateway for customers in India.

Built over one of the most hostile terrains, Bharti airtel and China Telecom have constructed the network in their respective territories from Siliguri to Nathula border in India and Nathula border to Yadong in China. This network will address the surging international traffic and diversity requirements of both the nations. In India, the high speed network spans from Siliguri gateway to Nathula via Pedong on one path and the second path will reach Siliguri from Nathula via Gangtok forming a ring.

Bharti airtel has also inked MoU with China Telecom to develop the Network to Network Interconnect (NNI) which allows seamless access to the combined regional and global network resources of both the operators.

According to Ajay Chitkara, CEO, Global Data Business - Bharti airtel, "The current economic boom in India and China has triggered a huge demand from global as well as domestic customers for connectivity in these nations. The launch of India-China link further strengthens our commitment of creating state of the art network for our customers through innovation and connects two fastest growing economies of the world on a low latency path." He further added, "This new high speed link will provide unparalleled diversity to both East and West bound traffic ensuring business continuity and economic growth for both the nations."

Bharti Airtel Ltd. (Mumbai: BHARTIARTL)