India-based global outsourcing firm Infosys is openly disregarding President Joe Biden’s call to sanction Russia for the invasion of Ukraine.
While most other outsourcing firms (PwC, KPMG, Accenture and DXC) are joining in with US sanctions against Russia and closing up their offices, it’s business as usual at the Infosys Moscow offices. There are no plans to halt operations.
The company made a laughable attempt to deflect attention on themselves yesterday, by minimizing the size of their operations and mentioning that they gave $1 million to funds supporting Ukranian victims. But with all the death and destruction taking place in Ukraine, it’s hard not to see the company as anything but an enemy of the Ukrainian people – and an enemy of the United States.
The issue came to light earlier this week, when the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak was accused in the British media of profiting from Putin’s regime over the Russian operations of Infosys, in which his wife holds a 0.91% stake. Earlier in the month, Sunak urged British companies to pull out of Russia.
Infosys has been very successful in securing tens of millions of dollars in grants from states across the US, including Connecticut. The state’s Governor, Ned Lamont, has developed a deep friendship with Infosys President Ravi Kumar.
Despite the fact that Infosys has not lived up to the terms of the $18 million grants deal, Governor Lamont has not tried to cancel it.
Lamont has condemned the invasion of Ukraine and claims to “stand in solidarity” with the people of the Ukraine.
We tried to reach Governor Lamont by phone yesterday to see whether he’s had any second thoughts on Infosys- especially since the company has decided to stick with Russia – but no calls were returned.
Infosys’s decision to ignore US sanctions is just the latest example of Indian leaders snubbing the US. Last week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s struck a new trade deal with Vladimir Putin that would open new trade between the two countries.
President Biden has yet to level any retaliatory sanctions against India but has threatened countries, like China, with devastating consequences if they aid Russia in any way. Meanwhile, UK leaders are considering their own actions against India.