India Inc Issues Advisories as Middle East Tensions Escalate
TCS, Infosys, Wipro and L&T suspend or defer travel to West Asia, while exporters and shipping authorities warn of broader fallout.
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India’s largest companies have issued travel advisories and cautionary directives to employees as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupt airspace and raise security concerns across the Gulf.
The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), the apex body for India’s technology industry, said employee safety and security remain the industry’s “foremost priority.” As a precautionary measure, Nasscom said it has advised member companies to defer travel to affected areas.
In a statement released on Monday, 2 March, Nasscom said member companies have also been advised to enable work-from-home arrangements for employees currently in the region. The industry body said it is “closely monitoring the evolving situation in parts of the Middle East.”
Nasscom added that operations across the industry are continuing as usual at this stage, while member companies remain vigilant and prepared to take additional measures if required.
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) advised staff in the region to remain indoors and avoid non-essential movement.
An internal advisory seen by Moneycontrol said: “In light of the ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East, all our associates have been advised to stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and strictly follow guidance issued by local authorities.”
Separately, Business Standard reported that TCS “has suspended all incoming and outgoing travel to and from the West Asia region, including transit, as airspace across several countries remains closed.”
The notice added that “HR and country leadership teams are actively connected with our associates … closely monitoring their safety and well-being,” according to Moneycontrol.
According to some media reports, TCS has also activated an internal call tree to contact employees in impacted and bordering regions and is coordinating with authorities and the Indian Embassy for updates.
Infosys Ltd also asked employees to defer travel. According to an internal communication cited by Business Standard, the company said: “We strongly advise employees scheduled to fly within the next 48 hours to check their respective airlines’ websites for the latest updates and consider deferring their travel plans.”
“For employees in transit, please remain calm and follow the instructions provided by the airlines … and we … discourage all non-essential travel until further notice,” the newspaper reported, citing the memo.
Infosys has also said official travel advisories would be issued for necessary trips.
Wipro Ltd issued similar internal guidance and directed employees to “follow local government guidelines and avoid travel to 11 countries in the region due to airspace and airport closures.”
LTIMindtree Ltd circulated precautionary travel guidance, advising employees to “exercise caution and avoid travel amid the developing situation.
Engineering and construction firm Larsen and Toubro Ltd has also issued a formal advisory.
An L&T spokesperson told The Tribune: “As a precautionary measure, L&T has issued a travel advisory to all concerned personnel, urging them to exercise adequate caution and avoid all non-essential travel and movement.”
The spokesperson added: “The Middle East is a strategically significant market … We are closely monitoring the evolving situation … The safety of human life is our foremost priority,” The Tribune reported.
Automaker Maruti Suzuki India Ltd said it is watching developments closely.
The company told The Times of India that it is “closely following developments in the Middle East” and that its “export exposure to the region is limited.”
Outside corporate India, trade bodies are flagging economic risks.
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned that “rising geopolitical tensions … are beginning to impact major industries in Surat and south Gujarat,” citing disruption to diamond supply chains via Israel and higher freight and input costs, according to The Times of India.
In the maritime sector, India’s Directorate General of Shipping issued an advisory urging caution for vessels operating near Iranian waters.
A circular said authorities had asked seafarers and shipping companies to “exercise utmost caution while operating or navigating through the region,” and advised that shipping companies were “not to deploy or send Indian seafarers to Iran until further notice.”
