On Friday, Infosys downplayed its commercial links with Russia after British finance minister Rishi Sunak was chastised over his wife’s involvement in the IT behemoth.
Sunak’s father-in-law N. R. Narayana Murthy co-founded Infosys, which has a market value of almost $100 billion. Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murthy, owns a $1 billion stake in the company.
Sunak was probed in an interview that his wife shared, as Britain and others strive to economically isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Infosys also released a statement announcing that it has pledged $1 million to aid victims of the fighting.
“Information Sciences has a small team in Russia that provides local support to several of our global clients. We don’t have any active business contacts with Russian companies in the area “It was stated.
Since the Cold War, New Delhi and Moscow have enjoyed tight connections, with the Indian military still relying significantly on Russian technology.
India has remained silent on Russia’s incursion, voting with its feet multiple times at the United Nations and continuing to buy Russian oil.
President Vladimir Putin has visited India on several occasions, the most recent being in December when he described India as “a major power, a friendly nation, and a tried and true friend.”
Putin also paid a visit to Infosys’ Bangalore headquarters in 2004 and was greeted by co-founder Murthy, who has since retired.
The affluence of Akshata Murthy and Sunak, who possess at least four residences, has already raised eyebrows in the British media, as ordinary Britons face harsh price hikes.
