New Delhi : H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, has conferred the insignia of Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour) on Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, at a special ceremony held at the Residence of France on 28th October 2026.
Established in 1802 by Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte, the Légion d’honneur is the highest civilian distinction awarded by the French Republic. Mr Mittal received the honour in recognition of his longstanding commitment to strengthening India–France economic ties and his pioneering achievements in telecommunications, digital infrastructure and satellite communications.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Thierry Mathou said, “The conferring of the Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur on Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal comes in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting Indo-French economic ties. Not only has Mr Mittal fortified relations with French business through his associations with France’s multinational insurance group AXA as well as telecoms equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent but also supported France’s ambition in achieving strategic independence through his investment in French satellite giant Eutelsat. This decoration reflects France’s gratitude and admiration for Mr Mittal’s longstanding commitment to deepening business relations and securing strategic engagement with France through foundational partnerships, high-level diplomatic dialogues, and massive investments in the satellite communications sector.”
Accepting the honour, Mr Mittal said, “I am moved and humbled by this gracious award from the President of the French Republic. 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, and continues today through my role as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, the European satellite champion. I accept this honour with gratitude to President Macron and with a renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France.”
As the two countries continue to deepen their cooperation in space and digital technology under the framework of the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership, Mr Bharti, as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, the European satellite champion, remains a key figure in Indo-French bilateral ties.
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