'For us, the logical conclusion is that it has to be eastwards. About 70 percent of new global subscribers in 2010 will be from China and India,' Nhleko said.

Analysts here speculate that the deal was being delayed because Bharti would end up in a preferential position but Nhleko was adamant that it was based on a strategic partnership involving cross shareholding.

'What's ideal is a full integration. But there are all sorts of regulatory, political and national identity issues we have to consider if we were to fully integrate the companies,' Nhleko said.

Nhleko said while the focus has been on MTN and Bharti, there is another important player in the deal - Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), the Singapore exchange's biggest company and a 30 percent shareholder in Bharti.

He said SingTel was 'an integral part of the deal', not only because it will lower costs but also because of additional synergies.

'SIngtel has a strong innovative hub in Singapore and there is an understanding that there will be symbiosis, and we will then have a far larger innovative base,' Nhleko said.

The two groups broke off negotiations last year but have been talking again, at least officially, since the end of May. They have extended their deadline a few times and now have until the end of September to reach an agreement