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Sachdev's exit is surprising since he is a key member of Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal's apex management team.

Microsoft India has poached a long time Bharti Airtel executive to head up its consumer and online business. The tech giant has hired Hemant Sachdev, a group director at Bharti, as the joint managing director for MS' consumer and online operations.

Sachdev's exit is surprising since he is a key member of Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal's apex management team at a group level. He also headed marketing and corporate communications for Bharti during his long stint at the telecom giant.

Sachdev's portfolio includes consumer software, windows mobile, MSN and the online services and search businesses.

Microsoft has created a new global sales and marketing organisation, known as Consumer and Online International (COI) across 22 countries including India. This will lead the company's consumer business across PCs, phones, and the Web.