Mittal, Ambanis' in Forbes billionaires list

Washington, Mar 6: India is home to the largest number of billionaires in Asia, and four of them figure in top 10 billionaires of the world, according to the new Forbes list.

Forbes magazine released its list of the globe's wealthiest billionaires on Wednesday, and four of the top 10 are from India. Only one of those, Lakshmi Mittal, was among last year's 10 richest per son of the world, moving up from fifth place to fourth in the new list. By nationality, the United States still easily led the rankings with 469 billionaires up from 415 last year, but Russia replaced Germany as the second placed country with 87 billionaires.Third-placed India saw the number of its super-rich jump to 53 entries on the list -- four of them in the top 10 -- although China and Hong Kong would overtake India if they were counted together. China and Hong Kong have 42 and 26 billionaires respectively. Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been knocked off his perch as the world's richest man after 13 years at the top. US financier Warren Buffett has overtaken Gates as the world's richest in this year's list, which saw Russia, China and India making increasing inroads.

Of the two Americans who made the cut, Bill Gates was knocked down to third place, after ranking first in 2007. His successor in the top spot, Warren Buffet, rose from a second place last year.

Citizens of Mexico, Sweden, Russia, and Germany, each of which can lay claim to one billionaire a piece, rounded out the list.

Forbes' 2008 Top Ten Richest Billionaires in the World

1. Warren Buffett, US, 62 billion dollars (investment/Berkshire Hathaway)

2. Carlos Slim Helu, Mexico, 60 billion dollars (telecom, banking, tobacco)

3. Bill Gates, US, 58 billion dollars (Microsoft)

4. Lakshmi Mittal, India, 45 billion dollars (steel)

5. Mukesh Ambani, India, 43 billion dollars (petrochemicals)

6. Anil Ambani, India, 42 billion dollars (energy)

7. Ingvar Kamprad, Sweden, 31 billion dollars (Ikea)

8. K.P. Singh, India, 30 billion dollars (real estate)

9. Oleg Deripaska, Russia, 28 billion dollars (aluminium)

10. Karl Albrecht, Germany, 27 billion dollars (retail).

ANI