Bharti Enterprises' Sunil Mittal awarded France's Legion of Honour by Macron

The award and its conferral

Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has been conferred the 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, according to a company statement reported on October 12, 2026. Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d'Honneur is the highest civilian award bestowed by the French Republic.

Stated rationale and the Mittal–France relationship

The distinction recognizes Mittal's longstanding commitment to deepening economic ties between India and France and his achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, the company statement said. French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou said that Mittal "has been a friend of France for more than thirty years, since the early days of Airtel in 1992" and that he has "unflaggingly nurtured these ties over the decades and shown what French and Indian business endeavours can achieve together." Mathou added that Mittal "advances these relations as Vice-Chairman of Eutelsat, at a time when our two countries are moving forward jointly in space and digital technology." The Bharti group's relationship with France dates to 1992, when Compagnie Générale des Eaux partnered with the Indian group to help launch mobile services in India.

Ceremony timing

Mittal is scheduled to receive the Legion of Honour insignia at a ceremony at the French Embassy in New Delhi on October 28, 2026. Mittal said he accepted the honour "with gratitude to the President of the French Republic, HE Mr Emmanuel Macron" and expressed a "renewed commitment to further deepen the economic ties between India and France."

Prior recognition

Mittal's previous honours include India's Padma Bhushan in 2007 and an honorary British knighthood conferred by King Charles III in 2024.