South Africa's Treasury and banking officials are to meet government officials in India to discuss foreign exchange control implications of the planned tie-up between MTN and India's Bharti Airtel.

The South African Treasury and central bank have to assess whether the flow of money resulting from a tie-up would infringe any exchange control laws currently in place and whether any legal exemptions would be necessary.

The merger would create the world's third-largest mobile phone group by subscribers but is subject to an end-September deadline. The firms have extended talks twice before.

They are leaving here later today. They should be there for a day or two and not sure of the duration of their stay, Treasury spokeswoman Thoraya Pandy told Reuters on Monday.

It's not a very long visit. They will be speaking to Indian officials about MTN, Bharti matter.

On Thursday, President Jacob Zuma said the deal was being held up by legal problems in India.

Meanwhile, South Africa's labour federation COSATU is trying to halt the tie-up, sources close to the matter told Reuters on Friday.

(Reporting by Gugulakhe Lourie; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

South Africa Bharti Airtel Jacob zuma India