Leading international business school INSEAD has selected Bharti Enterprises founder and chief Sunil Mittal and McKinsey & Company Global MD Dominic Barton for its Business Leader for the World Award, for their contribution to business and societal growth.

The award honours business leaders who have set new standards in building successful, sustainable, global enterprises that span multiple cultures, embrace  diversity and contribute to economic and social prosperity, an INSEAD statement said.

"Today's global economy is in need of leaders who have an increased understanding of how to operate across cultures, drive innovative thinking and contribute to both business and societal growth," INSEAD Dean Dipak C Jain said.

Mittal and Barton personify the essence of global business leadership, he added. INSEAD is honouring Mittal for his success in having grown Bharti Enterprises from a manufacturer of push button phones to India's leading business  conglomerate, it said.

"I am delighted to receive this award. Bharti's growth story is a product of India's successful economic reforms that have given companies like ours a
platform to innovate and build transformational businesses on a global scale," Mittal said.

He expressed confidence that going forward, many more businesses out of India will make a mark on the global stage. Mittal has created one of India's leading business groups, with operations in 19 countries, primarily in Asia and Africa.

The group's interests span telecom, retail, financial services, realty and agri-products and include joint ventures with major international firms like
Singtel, Wal-Mart and Del Monte.

Last year, Bharti airtel acquired African telecom firm Zain for USD 10 billion, making it the fifth largest global telecom operator with nearly 190 million
subscribers in 19 countries.

INSEAD has selected Barton for his career as a consultant, partner and now global managing director of one of the world's most respected consulting firms.

His achievements include 10 years leading McKinsey's practice in Korea and then Asia as a whole, guiding business leaders and others in discovering and  developing new opportunities in the region.

"It's truly an honour to be recognised by INSEAD, an educational institution known for its capacity to develop leaders and bring together people, cultures and ideas from around the world," Barton said.