At the French embassy in New Delhi, Macron presented the insignia to Sunil Bharti Mittal, marking the first time an Indian businessman received the award since 2015.
The Legion d'Honneur, founded by Napoleon in 1802, is France’s highest civilian honor, awarded for exceptional service to the nation.
Mittal, who turned Bharti Airtel into a global telecom powerhouse, said he felt “moved and humbled” by the recognition.
French officials highlighted the 2023 trade deal that saw Indian firms invest ₹50 billion in French technology parks, a leap from ₹12 billion a decade earlier.
The ceremony also set the stage for a new round of high‑level talks between the two governments, slated to begin in November.