UK: Sunil Bharti Mittal receives honorary knighthood from King Charles, a historic first for an Indian citizen
Last updated: February 28, 2024, 17:36 IST
London, United Kingdom (UK)
Bharti Airtel Limited Chairman Sunil Mittal speaking during a press conference in New Delhi on May 15, 2009. (Reuters file photo)
Sunil Bharti Mittal received an honorary knighthood from King Charles III of Britain for his contribution to UK-India trade relations. Investiture ceremony details include
Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal on Wednesday achieved a historic feat as he became the first Indian to receive an honorary knighthood bestowed by Britain’s King Charles III.
The honor acknowledges Mittal’s contribution to strengthening trade relations between the UK and India. Mittal received the KBE of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, one of the highest honors bestowed by the British monarch. The 66-year-old entrepreneur said in a statement that he was “deeply humbled” by the honor from King Charles.
Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal has become the first Indian citizen to be awarded an honorary knighthood, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), by King Charles III for advancing India-UK trade relations. went. , pic.twitter.com/HWkSpQjOgu– Bharti Enterprises (@bhartinews) 28 February 2024
‘Grateful to the British government’
“The UK and India have a historic relationship, which is now entering a new era of increased cooperation and collaboration. I am committed to working towards strengthening the economic and bilateral trade relations between our two great countries,” Mittal said. He said, “I am grateful to the UK Government, whose support and keen attention to business needs has been vital in making the country an attractive investment destination.”
The KBE, awarded for outstanding contribution in any field of activity, is awarded to foreign nationals in an honorary capacity. While knighthoods awarded to UK citizens give them the title Sir or Dame, non-UK citizens are awarded the honorific KBE (or DBE for women) after their name. Previous Indian recipients of the honorary KBE include Ratan Tata (2009), Ravi Shankar (2001) and Jamshed Irani (1997), which was awarded by the late Queen Elizabeth II. The investiture ceremony will later be conducted by the British High Commissioner to India, when he will formally hand over the royal insignia to Mittal. The honor recognizes Bharti Enterprises’ work in the India-UK region, including with the UK Government in the field of satellites.
Sunil Mittal led the revival of OneWeb (now Eutelsat) and led a consortium with the UK government and other strategic investors to provide satellite broadband services globally, a company statement said. Mittal has a strong connection with the UK as a member of the India-UK CEO Forum and has previously been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law from Newcastle University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Leeds. He is also a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Board at the University of Cambridge. In addition, he has served as a member of the Governing Body of the London Business School (LBS) and the India Advisory Group at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
(with agency input)
