Bharti Enterprises' founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has been named a Knight of France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour, the country’s highest civilian distinction, by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The honour recognises Mittal’s contributions to strengthening economic ties between India and France, as well as his achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, Bharti Enterprises said in a statement on Monday.
The award
Mittal said he was “moved and humbled” by the recognition and pledged to deepen economic ties between the two countries.
His association with France began in 1992, when French company Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with Bharti to introduce mobile telephony in India.
The relationship continues through his role as co-chairman of Eutelsat, the Paris-headquartered satellite communications company.
French Ambassador Thierry Mathou said in the statement that Mittal had nurtured bilateral business ties for more than three decades and highlighted his role in advancing cooperation in space and digital technology.
The Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and recognises exceptional service and achievement across business, public life, culture and science.
Mittal has earlier received the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in 2007.
In 2024, he became the first Indian citizen to receive an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) from King Charles III.
Bharti’s links with France also extend to its investment in Eutelsat.
Bharti Space participated in the satellite company’s capital raise in November 2025 and remains its largest private shareholder, with a 17.88% stake, according to the statement. The French state became Eutelsat’s largest shareholder, with a 29.65% holding.
The recognition comes as India and France continue to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors, including telecommunications, digital infrastructure and satellite communications.