If Voda disconnects, India picks up the bill3Photo© timesofindia.indiatimes.com

If Voda disconnects, India picks up the bill

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India faces a multi-billion-dollar hit to its economy and a tarnished reputation as a place for multinationals to invest unless it can keep Vodafone Idea in business.

Vodafone Idea, a joint venture between Britain's Vodafone Group Plc and India's Idea Cellular, is the most vulnerable of the mobile carriers ordered on Friday to immediately pay billions in unpaid government dues and interest following a Supreme Court ruling.

It has said it cannot immediately pay the $3.9 billion it owes and its ability to survive was contingent on the government agreeing a flexible payment schedule.