Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France's highest civilian honour Legion of Honour

French President Emmanuel Macron has conferred France's highest civilian distinction, the Chevalier de l'Ordre national de la Légion d'Honneur, on Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal. The honour recognises Mittal's outstanding contribution to strengthening economic links between India and France, as well as his achievements in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and satellite communications.

The formal ceremony to confer the insignia will take place on October 28, 2026, at the French Embassy in New Delhi, Bharti Enterprises said in a statement. Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honour is the French Republic's highest award for outstanding service across business, public life, and technology.

Strengthening India-France economic and space links

Mittal's commercial ties with France began in 1992, at the inception of Bharti's mobile services, when French firm Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with the group to launch mobile telephony in India. That early partnership marked the beginning of a decades-long relationship that has expanded into high-tech strategic collaboration.

Today, that partnership continues through Eutelsat, the Paris-headquartered satellite operator where Mittal serves as co-chairman. Following a capital raise in November 2025, Bharti Space became Eutelsat's largest private shareholder with a 17.88% stake, while the French state holds 29.65% as the single largest shareholder.

French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou called Mittal a friend of France for more than 30 years, highlighting his role in joint French and Indian commercial ventures. Mathou noted that Mittal continues to advance bilateral relations at a time when both nations are moving forward together in space and digital technology, helping make France a lasting partner in India's growth.

Accepting the honour, Mittal expressed his gratitude to President Macron and pledged to further deepen economic cooperation between the two nations, pointing to Airtel's origins in 1992 and its evolution into global satellite partnerships.

A record of international recognition

The award reflects India's growing global economic footprint and expanding diplomatic ties. Mittal previously received the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours, in 2007. In 2024, he became the first Indian citizen to be appointed an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III.