Indian companies

On the List: OFAC’s Iran Sanctions Impacting Indian Companies and Nationals

 

Summary: This blog examines the October 2025 OFAC sanctions targeting Iranian oil trade, which included eight Indian nationals and nine Indian companies on the Specially Designated Nationals list. It analyzes the legal framework behind these sanctions, their practical implications for affected parties, available delisting options, and the broader risks facing Indian businesses engaged in cross-border trade.Continue Reading On the List: OFAC’s Iran Sanctions Impacting Indian Companies and Nationals

U.S. Tariff and Sanctions Actions Target Indian Trade: Key Considerations for Businesses

On July 30, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from India. This announcement was first made via a social media post[1] and triggered widespread concern among Indian exporters and multinational stakeholders with supply chain links to India. On July 31, 2025 it was formalised by an executive order[2] which imposed varying ‘reciprocal tariffs” on a range of goods from 69 countries and European Union, including India. For countries not listed, a default rate of 10 per cent will apply. This order will be effective on August 7, 2025.Continue Reading U.S. Tariff and Sanctions Actions Target Indian Trade: Key Considerations for Businesses

Summary: This blog examines the increased compliance challenges faced by Indian companies due to the introduction of EU sanctions. European financial institutions and trading partners strictly enforce these measures, often adopting a zero-tolerance approach to secondary exposure. Consequently, Indian businesses with links to European markets must conduct rigorous due diligence as they face the risk of being cut off from euro-denominated transactions or even delisted from European stock exchanges.Continue Reading Emergence of the EU sanctions regime and their wide-reaching cross-border impact

FCPA, FCA and the Trump Effect: What Indian companies need to know

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and the False Claims Act (“FCA”) are two pivotal legislations of the United States (“U.S.”) that significantly influence the operations of multinational corporations, including Indian entities. The most notable recent cases against Indian companies are: (i) the allegations on the Adani Group for orchestrating a bribery scheme thereby violating the FCA; and (ii) investigation of Azure Power Global on the allegations of improper payments and misrepresentation of the company’s anti-bribery practices to gain U.S. financing in violation of the FCPA.Continue Reading FCPA, FCA and the Trump Effect: What Indian companies need to know

Comprehending the World Bank’s Sanctions Regime: Guidance for Indian Companies, Banks and Financial Institutions

As one of the foremost international financial institutions, the World Bank (“Bank”) aims to strengthen economic progress in middle- and lower-income nations by providing financial aid for various development projects.[1] However, in 2018, the Bank sanctioned an Indian enterprise which was engaged in executing a Bank-funded project[2], highlighting the accountability of these funds. Recipients of these funds are held accountable by the Bank for using the proceeds responsibly, which is where the Bank’s sanctions regime becomes relevant.Continue Reading Comprehending the World Bank’s Sanctions Regime: Guidance for Indian Companies, Banks and Financial Institutions

US-India discussion on Sanctions: Indian Companies to remain diligent about Sanctions Compliance

Recent actions: Russia-related sanctions

On October 30, 2024, the United States (“US”) Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) sanctioned 19 Indian companies and 2 Indian individuals under its Russia-related sanctions program under the Executive Order (“EO”) 14024. This action was in the nature of imposition of secondary sanctions on third-country actors to discourage non-US persons from engaging in certain transactions, even without a US nexus, that might be harmful to the objectives of the US sanctions programs.Continue Reading US-India discussion on Sanctions: Indian Companies to remain diligent about Sanctions Compliance

Ripple Effect of Sanctions- II: Recent Iran-related sanctions imposed by the United States

Background

In the previous blog published on November 19, 2024, we had discussed the United States (“US”) Office of foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”) sanctioning nearly 400 entities and individuals for their contribution to Russia’s efforts against Ukraine and the implications of this action on Indian businesses. The US has since imposed sanctions on several entities under its Russia-related sanctions program as well as under its other sanctions programs. There has also been a major focus on the Iran-related sanctions program.Continue Reading Ripple Effect of Sanctions- II: Recent Iran-related sanctions imposed by the United States

Time to harmonize AML control systems for global, commercial Indian companies

Introduction

For many global organisations, finding the right balance between having global, unified compliance programs, and the need to address local legal and compliance risks, is a challenge. In this blog, we will address the challenge that money laundering and related issues presents to Indian companies operating in Europe.Continue Reading Time to harmonize AML control systems for global, commercial Indian companies