Archive · 6 Dec 2025
Sunil Mittal at HTLS 2025: Airtel's Journey and Future
Sunil Mittal, the founder and chairman of Bharti Airtel, spoke at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025.
He started his first business with a small loan from his father and now has a net worth of $34.2 billion.
During the interview, he talked about how Airtel survived tough competition, especially from Reliance Jio, by focusing on its talented people.
He also shared that Airtel's business in Africa took a long time to succeed.
Mittal revealed that a government advertisement in 2001 led Airtel to become a telecom operator.
He also discussed the importance of having a sovereign cloud and not depending on companies like Google and Microsoft.
Sunil Mittal started his first business in 1976 with a ₹20,000 loan and now has a net worth of $34.2 billion.
Airtel survived competition, particularly from Reliance Jio, by focusing on its talented workforce.
Airtel's Africa business took 6-7 years to become successful.
A government advertisement in 2001 led Airtel to become a telecom operator.
Mittal emphasized the need for a sovereign cloud to reduce dependence on companies like Google and Microsoft.
- Who
- Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Airtel
- What
- Interview at Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025
- When
- 6 December 2025
- Where
- Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025
- Why
- To discuss Airtel's journey, future, and business strategies
- Name
- Sunil Bharti Mittal
- Occupation
- Chairman, Bharti Airtel
- First Business
- April 1976 with ₹20,000 loan
- Event
- Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025
- Interviewer
- Amitabh Kant
- Airtel's Africa Business
- Took 6-7 years to crack the market
- Key to Survival
- Talent and people
