New Delhi: Bharti Enterprises’ Founder and Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, has been granted an honorary Knighthood by Britain’s King Charles III, making him the first Indian citizen to receive such an honour from the King. Recognised “for services to U.K. and India business relations,” Mittal was conferred with a KBE (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), one of the highest honours bestowed by the British monarchy.
In a statement, Mittal emphasised the historic ties between the U.K. and India, asserting his commitment to further strengthening economic and bilateral trade relationships.
Mittal’s contributions within the India-U.K. space, particularly in satellite technology, were recognised by the honour. He spearheaded the revival of OneWeb (now Eutelsat), collaborating with the U.K. government and other investors to provide satellite broadband services globally.
Beyond business, Mittal is involved with prestigious U.K. institutions like Newcastle University, the University of Leeds, and the University of Cambridge, showcasing his commitment to academia and global cooperation.
The investiture ceremony, where Mittal will formally receive the royal insignia, will be conducted by the British High Commissioner to India at a later date.
Mittal’s contributions during Airtel Africa’s listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2019, highlight his significant impact on the India-U.K. business landscape.
Notable past Indian recipients of the KBE include Ratan Tata, Ravi Shankar, and Jamshed Irani, who were conferred this honour by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
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