Steel czar Mittal India's richest, again!

NEW YORK: King of steel Lakshmi N Mittal reigns as the richest Indian for the fourth year in a row with a wealth of USD 51 billion, although his crown is under threat from Mukesh Ambani whose net worth soared to USD 49 billion, according to Forbes' India's 40 Richest list for 2007.

But Mukesh's position too is under threat from his younger brother Anil, who is closing on his heels with a wealth of USD 45 billion at the third spot, US-based Forbes magazine said.

Real estate tycoon Kushal Pal Singh of DLF elbowed Wipro's Azim Premji from the fourth spot in the list, which for the first time features all billionaires.

"The four richest Indians are worth an astonishing USD 180 billion," Forbes said, attributing the surge in wealth to a booming stock market.