UK Signals Opposition To Any Increase In Bharti’s Stake In BT

The UK government is reportedly opposed to any move by Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Enterprises to increase its stake in BT Group beyond its current 24.95% holding. According to media reports, British authorities believe that maintaining sovereign control over critical national infrastructure is essential, making a larger foreign ownership stake in the telecom giant unlikely to gain support.

Earlier reports had suggested that Bharti was considering raising its shareholding to just below the level that would trigger a mandatory takeover offer. However, the company has stated that it is satisfied with its current investment and has no immediate plans to increase its stake.

Mittal and Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, joined BT’s board as Non-Executive Directors in September. The reported stance highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of foreign investments in strategic sectors such as telecommunications, where national security and infrastructure control remain key concerns.