New Delhi, October 29, 2026: Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been conferred the insignia of Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour) by H.E. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, at a ceremony held at the Residence of France on October 28, 2026.
The Légion d’honneur, established in 1802 by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte, is the highest civilian distinction awarded by the French Republic. Mittal received the honour in recognition of his longstanding commitment to strengthening India–France economic relations and his achievements in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and satellite communications.
Recognition for business partnerships
Ambassador Thierry Mathou highlighted Mittal’s role in promoting Indo-French economic ties, citing his associations with French companies such as AXA and Alcatel-Lucent, and his investment in French satellite firm Eutelsat. Mathou noted that the decoration reflected France’s gratitude for Mittal’s commitment to deepening business relations and strategic engagement through partnerships, diplomatic dialogues, and investments in the satellite sector.
Mittal, who is Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, has played a key role in fostering cooperation between India and France in space and digital technology under the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership framework.
Mittal’s career and affiliations
Sunil Bharti Mittal founded Bharti Enterprises in 1976, building a portfolio spanning telecom, space communications, digital infrastructure, financial services, real estate, and hospitality. Bharti Airtel, the group’s flagship, operates in 17 countries across India, South Asia, and Africa, serving over 650 million customers and ranking as the world’s second-largest mobile operator by customer base. Mittal is also a Director on the Board of BT Group Plc and Bharti is the largest private shareholder in both Eutelsat and BT Group.
He has been a consistent supporter of expanding Bharti’s presence in France and deepening partnerships with French firms, and is set to attend the 2026 Choose France Summit for the fourth time.
Previous honours and contributions
Mittal has previously received the Padma Bhushan and was conferred the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), becoming the first Indian citizen to receive the KBE from HM King Charles III. He has also been recognised with the GSMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award and has held leadership roles in the GSMA, International Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His current affiliations include positions with the AI for Good Global Commission at ITU, WEF’s International Business Council, World Bank Group’s Private Sector Investment Lab, Hakluyt’s International Advisory Board, and the Global Board of Advisors at CFR.
Mittal’s academic engagements include advisory roles at Harvard, Cambridge, London Business School, LSE, ISB, Plaksha University, IIT Delhi, IIM Ahmedabad and Lucknow, and SOUL. He established the Bharti Airtel Foundation in 2000 to promote equitable access to education through Satya Bharti Schools, government partnerships, teacher development, and scholarships across India and Africa.
Statements from the ceremony
“The conferring of the Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur on Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal comes in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting Indo-French economic ties,” said Ambassador Thierry Mathou at the ceremony. Mittal, accepting the honour, said, “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.”
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