Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been conferred with the title of Knight of France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour. The accolade, which represents the highest civilian distinction in France, was bestowed upon him by French President Emmanuel Macron. The recognition acknowledges Mr. Mittal’s significant efforts in strengthening economic cooperation between India and France, alongside his extensive achievements within the telecommunications and digital infrastructure sectors.
Reflecting on the honour, Mr. Mittal stated he was “moved and humbled” and expressed his commitment to further deepening economic relations between the two nations. French Ambassador Thierry Mathou noted that Mr. Mittal has actively fostered bilateral business ties for over thirty years. He specifically highlighted the businessman's instrumental role in advancing collaboration in the fields of space technology and digital development.
The association between Mr. Mittal and France dates back to 1992, when his company partnered with the French firm Compagnie Générale des Eaux to launch mobile telephony services in India. This relationship has evolved significantly over the decades, currently manifesting in his position as co-chairman of the Paris-headquartered satellite firm, Eutelsat. Bharti Space presently holds a 17.88% stake in Eutelsat, establishing it as the largest private shareholder of the company.
Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honour serves to recognise exceptional service across diverse spheres, including business, public life, science, and culture. This latest international recognition follows several other accolades for Mr. Mittal, including the Padma Bhushan in 2007. In 2024, he also became the first Indian citizen to be awarded an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III. The recognition arrives as India and France continue to expand their strategic partnership in critical sectors like satellite communications and digital infrastructure.
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