The government is examining details of an Indian tech company involved in semiconductor research, that was sanctioned by the European Union on Friday for its dealings with Russia. The company is a partner of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for a very recent “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Make in India) collaboration, officials confirmed to The Hindu.
The company, Bengaluru-based high-tech firm Si2 Microsystems, has a complex history as it has been banned by the U.S. from “dual-use” technology transfers as well, and its directors had been placed on Lookout Circular (LOC) notices by Indian authorities over debt defaults. A few years ago, a director had approached courts for a waiver of the LOC so as to travel to Russia, his lawyers confirmed, indicating that the company had urgent and close ties with Russian counterparts. However, the company and its directors remained unavailable for comment on the latest sanctions, that were announced to mark two years of the Russian war in Ukraine.
The Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment on the announcement, but officials told The Hindu all three Ministries concerned - the MEA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (CIM) and MeitY - were aware of the announcement, as well as the links to the government.
