MUMBAI: Bharti and Bajaj are getting together. No, it’s not a couple from heartland India that's getting hitched (would we be writing about a couple from rural India? Just kidding, on second thoughts, we might. But nonetheless this  punning around was to make this heavy piece feel light!)

Anyway getting  back to business: it’s India’s second largest telco Bharti Airtel and non-banking finance company Bajaj Finance that have p has shaken hands to create a  one-of-its-kind digital platform for financial services.

The partnership brings together Airtel's vast customer base of 370 million, 12 lakh+ strong distribution network, and Bajaj Finance's diversified suite of 27 product lines, and distribution heft of 5,000+ branches and 70,000 field agents.

Under the agreement, firstly, Airtel will progressively offer close to 10 Bajaj Finance’s financial products to its customers within this calendar year. Secondly,  customers can apply for Airtel-Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI card through the Airtel Thanks App, providing access to a range of offers and flexible EMI options.

Bharti Airtel vice-chairman & MD Gopal Vittal said, "We are building Airtel Finance as a strategic asset for the group and will continue to invest in and grow the business."

Bajaj Finance managing director Rajeev Jain, added: "Together with Airtel, we seek to be the financier of choice to India and enable millions to access financial services, even in remote areas."

When it does manage to do that, it sure would have proved to  have been a valuable handshake.