New Delhi: Mobile operator Bharti Airtel on Monday announced a tie-up with US-based Apple Inc to bring the popular GSM-based iPhones to the country.

"Bharti Airtel has signed a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to India later this year,'' the company said in a statement.

Airtel may start offering iPhones around Diwali festival to its over 65 million GSM-based subscribers.

Airtel's announcement comes on the heels of mobile phone operator Vodafone announcing last week to distribute iPhones worldwide including India.