World · South & Central Asia · 10 hrs ago
Sunil Bharti Mittal to receive France’s highest civilian honour
Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of India’s Bharti Enterprises, has been awarded France’s Legion of Honour.
It is France’s highest civilian distinction, established in 1802.
The honour recognises his work in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, as well as his role in strengthening economic ties between India and France.
Mittal’s business links with France date back to 1992, when a French company partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India.
He is now vice-chairman of Eutelsat, a satellite communications company, extending those links into space technology.
The award highlights business cooperation between the two countries.
The French Embassy in New Delhi will present the insignia at a ceremony on October 28, 2026.
French President Emmanuel Macron has named Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
The award recognises his work to strengthen economic ties between India and France and his achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
The insignia will be presented at a ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi on October 28, 2026.
Mittal’s association with France dates to 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India.
- Who
- Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises.
- What
- He has been named a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian award.
- When
- The award was announced on October 12, 2026. The insignia ceremony is scheduled for October 28, 2026.
- Where
- The ceremony will be held at the French Embassy in New Delhi.
- Why
- In recognition of his role in strengthening economic ties between India and France and his achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India.
Bharti Space Limited participated in Eutelsat’s capital raise and took a 17.88 per cent stake, according to Business Standard.
French President Emmanuel Macron named Mittal a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
The insignia is scheduled to be presented at a ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi.
- Award
- Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur
- Awarded by
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Ceremony
- October 28, 2026, French Embassy, New Delhi
- India-France association
- Began in 1992
- Previous Indian honour
- Padma Bhushan, 2007
What people are saying
He has unflaggingly nurtured these ties over the decades and shown what French and Indian business endeavours can achieve together.
I accept this honour with gratitude to the President of the French Republic, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, and with a renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France
Sources
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