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 French President Emmanuel Macron, in recognition of his work deepening economic ties between India and France.
The announcement was made on Monday. Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d'Honneur is the highest civilian distinction conferred by the French Republic. The insignia will be formally presented to Mittal at a ceremony at the Embassy of France in New Delhi on October 28, 2026.
Three decades of India-France ties
According to the announcement, the honour acknowledges Mittal's longstanding commitment to strengthening India-France economic relations alongside his contributions to telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
France's Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, said Mittal has been "a friend of France for more than thirty years, since the early days of Airtel in 1992," adding that he has consistently nurtured the relationship and shown what French and Indian business ventures can achieve together. Mathou also pointed to Mittal's current role as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, noting that the two countries are moving forward jointly in space and digital technology.
Mittal's French connection
Responding to the honour, Mittal said he was "moved and humbled" by the award. He traced his association with France to Airtel's inception in 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India. He said the relationship continues today through his role as Co-Chairman of Eutelsat, the Paris-headquartered satellite communications company, where Bharti Space Limited holds a 17.88 per cent stake as its largest private shareholder. Past associations with French businesses have included AXA and Alcatel-Lucent.
Sources:
The Tribune: Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France's highest civilian honour
ETTelecom: Sunil Bharti Mittal awarded France's Legion of Honour
Hindustan Times: Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France's highest civilian award
The announcement was made on Monday. Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d'Honneur is the highest civilian distinction conferred by the French Republic. The insignia will be formally presented to Mittal at a ceremony at the Embassy of France in New Delhi on October 28, 2026.
Three decades of India-France ties
According to the announcement, the honour acknowledges Mittal's longstanding commitment to strengthening India-France economic relations alongside his contributions to telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
France's Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, said Mittal has been "a friend of France for more than thirty years, since the early days of Airtel in 1992," adding that he has consistently nurtured the relationship and shown what French and Indian business ventures can achieve together. Mathou also pointed to Mittal's current role as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, noting that the two countries are moving forward jointly in space and digital technology.
Mittal's French connection
Responding to the honour, Mittal said he was "moved and humbled" by the award. He traced his association with France to Airtel's inception in 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India. He said the relationship continues today through his role as Co-Chairman of Eutelsat, the Paris-headquartered satellite communications company, where Bharti Space Limited holds a 17.88 per cent stake as its largest private shareholder. Past associations with French businesses have included AXA and Alcatel-Lucent.
Sources:
The Tribune: Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France's highest civilian honour
ETTelecom: Sunil Bharti Mittal awarded France's Legion of Honour
Hindustan Times: Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France's highest civilian award
