New Delhi—India's diplomatic mission in Washington has revealed it hired a prominent Trump-aligned lobbying firm to navigate complex trade negotiations, manage international perceptions of a major counter-terrorism operation, and strengthen bilateral relations during a critical period in 2025. The Indian Embassy engaged SHW Partners LLC, led by Trump adviser Jason Miller, in a carefully coordinated outreach effort that simultaneously addressed sensitive trade discussions and communications strategy around Operation Sindoor, a significant security operation launched in May 2025.
Key Facts
• The Indian Embassy hired SHW Partners LLC in April 2025 for approximately $1.8 million annually, with the lobbying firm's FARA filings revealing coordinated engagement with Trump administration officials from April through December 2025 including US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
• On May 10, 2025—the day a ceasefire was announced between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor—the lobbying firm facilitated contacts with senior Trump administration officials to discuss media coverage of the operation, demonstrating the parallel tracking of security and economic interests.
• The Indian Embassy also contracted Mercury Public Affairs in August 2025 for three months at $75,000 monthly for strategic communications services, just days before a 50 percent Trump administration tariff on Indian exports took effect.
The Indian Embassy's decision to engage professional lobbying representation reflects the high-stakes nature of contemporary US-India relations under the Trump administration. Records show that starting in late April 2025, Indian officials requested a series of coordinated calls and meetings with top Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and the office of Vice President JD Vance to position trade discussions before policy positions hardened in an administration known for its transactional approach.
When Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7, India's diplomatic strategy shifted into managing international perception and preventing security developments from derailing economic negotiations. On the very day the ceasefire emerged, Indian officials requested contacts with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and National Security Council officials specifically to discuss how American media outlets—particularly Fox News, closely monitored by President Trump—were covering the operation.
The diplomatic outreach expanded significantly as the operation unfolded through May and June 2025. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Pentagon leaders including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar engaged with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure coordinated understanding of India's security situation across multiple agencies.
Despite months of intensive engagement through hired representatives and high-level direct contacts, India continued facing public criticism and tariff pressures from the White House. The Trump administration imposed the 50 percent tariff on Indian imports partly over India's continued purchases of Russian oil amid the Ukraine conflict, marking a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two nations.
Trade negotiations advanced gradually through summer and fall 2025, with Indian officials bringing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent into discussions by August, broadening conversations beyond traditional commerce topics to encompass macroeconomic concerns including currency considerations and capital flows. The frequency and breadth of engagement reflected India's determination to maintain momentum despite overlapping geopolitical challenges.
When questioned about the lobbying firm arrangement, the Indian Embassy stated that hiring professional representation is standard practice that has been employed by successive Indian governments since the 1950s. The embassy emphasized that embassies, private entities, and business organizations routinely engage such services in the United States as part of normal diplomatic outreach procedures.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor stated in New Delhi regarding ongoing trade discussions, underscoring the continued momentum in negotiations despite tensions and the complex diplomatic choreography behind the scenes.
India's approach to managing the complex 2025 diplomatic moment demonstrated sophisticated understanding of how the Trump administration operates—running security and economic engagement in parallel tracks, engaging broadly across multiple agencies and political circles, and carefully managing public narratives through media relationships. The strategy recognized that policy, politics, and media coverage are closely intertwined in contemporary Washington.
Looking ahead, trade talks between India and the US are expected to continue through early 2026, with both nations indicating commitment to reaching a comprehensive agreement. The Indian Embassy's investments in professional lobbying representation and sustained high-level diplomatic engagement signal New Delhi's determination to protect economic interests while managing security concerns and strengthening long-term bilateral relationships during a period of significant geopolitical change.
Do You Know?
Jason Miller, who now heads SHW Partners LLC and led the Indian Embassy's lobbying efforts, had previously posted on social media about visiting President Trump at the White House in 2025, describing it as a
—highlighting the close relationship between lobbying representatives and the Trump administration that gives firms like his particular influence in contemporary Washington policy circles.
Key Terms
• FARA (Foreign Agent Registration Act): US law requiring individuals or organizations lobbying on behalf of foreign governments to register with the Department of Justice and publicly disclose their activities, relationships, and finances.
• Operation Sindoor: A counter-terrorism operation launched by India in May 2025 with significant regional security implications that prompted extensive diplomatic engagement with the Trump administration.
• Trade Representative: The senior US government official responsible for negotiating international trade agreements and managing trade disputes, currently held by Jamieson Greer in the Trump administration.
Asia91 Original