Wal-Mart Studying Business Plan With Bharti, Result in Weeks

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, said it is in talks with Indian partner Bharti Enterprises Pvt. on its future business plan and aims to reach an agreement in the next few weeks.

Wal-Mart has a “very good” relationship with Bharti and has had multiple conversations with billionaire owner Sunil Mittal in the past few days to determine the next steps, Scott Price, head of Wal-Mart’s Asia operations, said on Oct. 5. His comments come after local media reports in India suggested that Bharti is seeking to exit the joint venture due to Wal-Mart’s lack of progress in expanding Indian operations.