The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Civil Division has been given to Sunil Mittal, the chairman and founder of Bharti Enterprises, in recognition of his achievements in building robust commercial relations between the UK and India.
Being the first Indian citizen to be awarded an Honorary Knighthood, Sunil Bharti Mittal has made history. One of the highest honors bestowed upon civilians by the British Sovereign, the KBE is given in an honorary capacity to foreign people only.
Sunil Mittal thanks King Charles for his appreciation
Mittal said that he is committed to strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties between the UK and India while acknowledging the historical ties between the two countries and their transition into a new age of increased collaboration.
“This generous acknowledgment from His Majesty, King Charles, has greatly humbled me. India and the UK have long-standing relations about entering a new phase of greater cooperation and coordination.” Mittal stated, “I’m still devoted to trying to improve our two wonderful countries’ bilateral trade and economic ties.”
He expressed gratitude to the UK government, saying that their assistance and astute understanding of business requirements had greatly contributed to the nation’s appeal as an investment destination.
A century of the Order of the British Empire
King George V created the Order of the British Empire in 1917 to honor people for their non-combative service. As time passed, the Order’s purview grew to include recognition for accomplishments in public service, arts, sciences, and charitable endeavors. There are five grades within the Order, which include both military and civilian divisions. The Order also includes the British Empire Medal, which is given to people who have made notable contributions to community service.
Sunil Bharti Mittal established the global Indian company Bharti Enterprises in 1976. The company’s holdings span a variety of industries, including manufacturing, insurance, real estate, agriculture, food, and hospitality.
Along with major international players including Singtel, SoftBank, AXA, and Del Monte, Bharti Enterprises has collaborative partnerships. The group’s main business, Bharti Airtel, is among the biggest telecommunications firms in the world. Bharti Airtel had 496.91 million users globally as of June 2022.
With 18 countries under its service, Bharti Airtel is the third-biggest mobile provider globally in terms of user numbers. The firm provides mobile, fixed line, high-speed home internet, M-commerce, DTH, and enterprise services. It is the second largest integrated telecom operator in India based on user base.
