Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Sunil Bharti Mittal’s conglomerate Bharti Enterprises, takes a 24.5% stake in BT (British Telecom). The deal, estimated to be worth around $4 billion, marks a significant move in the telecom sector and strengthens ties between India and the UK.
British Telecom was an early investor in Bharti Telecom, and today the Indian mobile operator has acquired a stake in an iconic British brand.
BT Group PLC’s ownership is a mix of individual, retail, and institutional investors.
Bharti Global is now the single largest shareholder in BT and has the company’s other shareholders including Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim.
Patrick Drahi, the majority owner of French telecom company Altice, had increased his stake in BT to 24.5% last year. Altice had taken a €1.5 billion loan against its BT stake earlier, and was under pressure to pare debt in his group.
Bharti is a leading example of Indian companies going global. It acquired Zain Telecom’s Africa operations in 2010 for an EV of $10.7 billion.
India’s influence on the global business stage is rapidly growing, particularly through strategic acquisitions abroad. A standout example is Tata Motors’ purchase of Jaguar Land Rover in 2008. Tata Group continues to solidify its impact in the UK with significant investments. Alongside owning Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Steel operates facilities such as the Port Talbot plant. In 2023, Tata Group demonstrated its long-term commitment to the UK by investing £4 billion in a new electric car battery factory.
Another major player is Reliance Industries. In 2021, Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd acquired British battery tech firm Faradion Ltd for $135 million. Reliance Brands Ltd also took a major step by buying Hamleys, the historic British toy store, in 2019.
Wipro, a key name in Indian IT, expanded its reach by acquiring the UK-based management consultancy Capco in a $1.45 billion deal in 2022.
Eicher Motor’s acquisition of Royal Enfield in 1994 is a classic example of Indian companies reviving iconic brands. Now headquartered in Chennai, Royal Enfield is a storied British motorcycle brand with roots stretching back to 1901.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd breathed new life into BSA Motorcycles, a defunct brand with a storied history, in 2021. TVS Motor Co acquired the legendary British motorcycle brand Norton in 2020, also investing in electric bike production through EBCO Ltd.
Investment groups like Wadhawan Global Capital are also making strides, having led a £32 million fundraising for British digital bank Zopa in 2017.
Research from Grant Thornton reveals that in 2024, there were 971 Indian-owned companies in the UK, up from 954 in 2023. While the financial services sector sees limited Indian ownership, the impact is clear across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and mining.
These acquisitions reflect a growing trend of Indian companies not just participating in the global market but significantly shaping it.
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