Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been named a Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour) by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron.
Recognition and Investiture Details
The distinction recognizes Mr. Mittal’s role in strengthening bilateral economic relations between India and France, alongside his work in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
Instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d’Honneur is the highest civilian order bestowed by the French Republic. The insignia will be formally presented to Mr. Mittal on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at an investiture ceremony hosted at the Ambassade de France (Embassy of France) in New Delhi.
Prior Distinctions
This honour adds to several international and domestic accolades previously conferred upon Mr. Mittal:
- Padma Bhushan (2007): Conferred by the Government of India, representing one of the nation’s highest civilian honours.
- Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (2024): Conferred by King Charles III, making Mr. Mittal the first Indian citizen to receive the KBE honorific under the British monarch.
Speaking on the announcement, Ambassador Thierry Mathou said:
Sunil Bharti Mittal has been a friend of France for more than thirty years, since the early days of Airtel in 1992. He has unflaggingly nurtured these ties over the decades, and shown what French and Indian business endeavours can achieve together. Today he advances these relations as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, at a time when our two countries are moving forward jointly in space and digital technology. In awarding him the Légion d’honneur, the President of the Republic recognises an outstanding business leader who has contributed to making France a lasting partner in India.
On the recognition, Mr. Mittal said:
I am moved and humbled by this gracious award from the Republic of France. My association with France began at Airtel’s inception in 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux joined hands with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India. It continues today through my role as Co-Chairman of Eutelsat, the European satellite champion. I accept this honour with gratitude to the President of the French Republic, H.E. Mr. Emmamuel Macron and with a renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France.