London: Lakshmi Mittal, Non-Resident Indian (NRI) steel baron and chairman of the LNM Group, world's second-largest steel producer, today (March 7, 2004) emerged as the richest Asian and fourth wealthiest person in Britain.

According to "The Rich Report 2004" brought out by 'The Mail on Sunday', 53-year-old Mittal, who flies 560,000 km a year in his private jet to pursue deals, showed nerves of steel to increase his fortune by almost 2 billion Pounds in the last one year. His wealth was put at 3.1 billion Pounds this year as against 1.25 billion Pounds last year.

The Hinduja brothers - Srichand, Gopichand and Prakash - are listed as the second richest Asians and 34th wealthiest in Britain with a fortune of 905 million Pounds this year as against 670 million Pounds last year.

Other NRIs who figure in the rich list are "flamboyant metals and mining guru" Anil Agarwal (640 million Pounds), Jatania brothers and Tom Singh (330 million Pounds each), Vijay and Bhikhu Patel (292 million Pounds), Gulu Lalvani family (240 million Pounds), Jasminder Singh and family (217 million Pounds), Bharat and Ketan Mehta (165 million Pounds) and Dinesh Dhamija (132 million Pounds).

Roman Abramovich, Russian oligarch who was born into grinding poverty in a frozen Soviet wasteland, is revealed as Britain's new richest man with a wealth of 7.2 billion Pounds.

Writing about Lakshmi Mittal, the tabloid said two years ago the world didn't want the metal that made Mittal's millions, but he continued to invest and, thanks to demand from China, there has been a massive resurgence. Shares in Ispat International, a small part of Mittal's empire, have tripled, raising his stake to 400 million Pounds.