Sarin, Mittal among Europe's 25 most powerful people: Forbes

Arun Sarin of Vodafone and Lakshmi Mittal of Britain are among Europe's 25 most powerful businessmen.

Arun Sarin of Vodafone and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal of Britain are among Europe's 25 most powerful businessmen.

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Sarin, 49, is at seventh position in the list compiled by Fortune, the Forbes magazine. Vodafone is the world's largest wireless company which generated $15 billion, noted the magazine. Sarin has been CEO of the company for a year. He has been described as "part of an Indian diaspora that is rising to lead banks and tech companies in Europe and the US". His major challenge will be bringing in the 3G broadband service to mobile phones.

The list is not based merely on money to measure power but on executive level and the ability to influence others, and the type of business an individual runs. John Browne, CEO of BP, who was found to be the most powerful businessman outside the US has topped the Europe list this year.

Mittal, 54, at the 15th slot is more powerful than Roman Abromovich, the Russian who is the richest in Britain. Indian-born Mittal's LNM, is the world's second largest steel manufacturer and "Mittal is still hunting for more acquisitions. His indispensible work tool: a private jet that clocks 350,000 miles each year".