India has entered into a one-year lobbying agreement worth $1.8 million with Washington-based SHW Partners LLC, a consulting and government relations firm headed by Jason Miller, a former senior adviser and chief spokesperson for US President Donald Trumps election campaigns. The move is aimed at strengthening Indias engagement with key decision-makers in Washington amid growing cooperation on trade, defence, technology, and strategic affairs.

According to filings made under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Indian Embassy in Washington signed the agreement with SHW Partners on April 24, 2025. Under the contract, the firm will receive $150,000 per month, bringing the total value of the deal to $1.8 million over a year. The agreement authorises SHW Partners to provide strategic advice, policy planning, and government relations support on behalf of India. The firms responsibilities include engaging with the US administration, Congress, state governments, think tanks, academic institutions, and other stakeholders on issues concerning Indias interests in the United States.

Jason Miller is one of the best-known Republican political strategists in Washington. He gained national prominence as Donald Trumps chief media spokesperson during the 2016 presidential campaign and later remained part of Trumps political team in subsequent campaigns. His extensive network within Republican circles is expected to help India enhance its outreach across the US political establishment.

Responding to questions about the contract, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said engaging lobbying firms in Washington is a long-established practice followed by successive governments. The ministry noted that such arrangements are common among foreign embassies operating in the US and are fully disclosed under American law. It also pointed out that India has retained similar firms on several occasions over the past several decades whenever diplomatic priorities required additional outreach.

The agreement comes at a time when India and the United States are working closely on a range of issues, including bilateral trade, defence cooperation, supply chains, critical technologies, and Indo-Pacific security. Analysts say experienced lobbying firms often complement diplomatic efforts by facilitating communication with policymakers and helping governments present their positions more effectively within Washingtons policymaking ecosystem. Lobbying by foreign governments is a routine feature of the US political system. Under FARA regulations, firms representing overseas governments must publicly register their contracts and periodically disclose their activities, ensuring transparency in their engagements with American officials and institutions.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.