Sunil Bharti Mittal Honoured with France's Highest Civilian Award
Bharti Enterprises founder Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred with the Legion of Honour for strengthening Indo-French economic and telecom ties.
In a significant gesture reflecting the strengthening ties between New Delhi and Paris, Sunil Bharti Mittal, the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been conferred with the Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur. This prestigious insignia, known as the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, is the highest civilian distinction granted by the French Republic.
The award was presented by the Ambassador of France to India, Thierry Mathou, during a ceremony held at the Residence of France on October 28. The honour recognizes the Indian telecom pioneer's relentless efforts in expanding Indo-French economic relations and his pivotal contributions to the fields of digital infrastructure, telecommunications, and satellite communications.
A Legacy of Strategic Partnerships
The Legion of Honour, established by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is awarded for exceptional service regardless of the recipient's nationality. The President of the French Republic serves as the Grand Master of this Order.
During the investiture, Ambassador Mathou highlighted that the recognition is a testament to Mr. Mittal's role in fortifying business links between the two nations. He specifically noted Mittal's associations with prominent French entities, including the multinational insurance giant AXA and the telecoms equipment manufacturer Alcatel-Lucent.
Furthermore, the French envoy emphasized that Mittal's investment in the French satellite leader Eutelsat has supported France's ambition to achieve strategic independence. Ambassador Mathou stated that the decoration reflects France’s gratitude for Mittal's commitment to securing strategic engagement through high-level diplomatic dialogues and massive investments in the satellite sector.
From 1992 to the Global Stage
Accepting the honour, Sunil Bharti Mittal expressed his humility and gratitude toward President Emmanuel Macron. He recalled that his commercial journey with France began during the very inception of Airtel in 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux collaborated with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony to the Indian market.
"I am moved and humbled by this gracious award from the President of the French Republic... I accept this honour with gratitude to President Macron and with a renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France," Mittal stated.
Mittal's current role as Vice-Président of Eutelsat further cements his position as a bridge between the two countries, especially as India and France continue to cooperate in space and digital technology under the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership.
The Scale of Bharti Enterprises
Founded by Mittal in 1976, Bharti Enterprises has grown into a powerhouse with diversified interests. The group's reach extends across:
- Telecommunications: Its flagship company, Bharti Airtel, currently operates in 17 different countries.
- Satellite Communications: Bharti is the largest private shareholder in the Paris-headquartered Eutelsat.
- Global Investments: The group also holds a significant stake in the United Kingdom's BT Group Plc.
- Other Sectors: The enterprise maintains strong interests in financial services and digital infrastructure.
Continuing his engagement with French leadership, Sunil Bharti Mittal is slated to attend the Choose France Summit for the fourth time, further underlining the enduring economic synergy between the two nations.