An American lobbying firm retained by the Indian government has publicly disclosed that it facilitated contact between the Indian Embassy in Washington and key officials from the Trump administration on a critical date in May 2025. The engagement centered around discussions concerning media coverage of the military action known as Operation Sindoor, which culminated in a ceasefire announcement on the same day.
Lobbying Firm's Disclosure and Key Contacts
The firm, SHW Partners LLC, submitted a detailed filing to the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) for the period spanning April to December 2025. The document reveals that on May 10, 2025, the firm assisted the Indian mission in reaching out to four high-ranking officials.
The officials contacted were White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Ricky Gill of the National Security Council. The stated purpose was to 'discuss media coverage of Operation Sindoor.' Notably, a ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced on that very date following the operation.
Indian Embassy's Defense and Contract Details
Reacting to the filing, the Indian Embassy defended the move, stating it was entirely consistent with 'local practice and requirements.' In a statement to PTI, the embassy elaborated that hiring lobbyists and consultants is a standard practice for embassies and various organizations in the United States to augment their outreach efforts.
'The Indian embassy has hired such firms, consistent with local practice and requirements under successive governments since the 1950s,' the embassy clarified. The contract with SHW Partners LLC, headed by Jason Miller, was reportedly signed in April 2025 for an annual fee of $1.8 million.
Broader Engagement and Previous Hiring
The FARA filing further indicated that the lobbying firm's assistance during the period was not limited to Operation Sindoor. It also helped the Indian mission engage with the Trump administration on a range of other issues, including the proposed trade deal between the two nations. The firm's services included facilitating meetings, phone calls, and email communications between Indian and US officials.
This was not the sole lobbying contract during that period. In a separate move, the Indian Embassy had hired another firm, Mercury Public Affairs, on a three-month contract starting August 15, 2025. This contract, with a monthly retainer of $75,000, was for strategic communications services and was secured just days before a scheduled 50 percent tariff on Indian exports to the US was set to take effect.
The disclosure has sparked political reactions in India. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh cited the report, suggesting, 'much obviously happened on May 10, 2025 leading to the first announcement of the halt of Op Sindoor by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 17:37 hrs.' The filings underscore the extensive behind-the-scenes diplomatic and lobbying efforts undertaken by nations in Washington to navigate complex geopolitical and trade landscapes.
