India Contracts Second Trump-Connected Lobbying Firm As Tariffs Near
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – While India has not made any official statement, Politico has reported that New Delhi has hired another Washington lobbying firm with close ties to the Trump administration, just days before a new round of U.S. tariffs is set to hit Indian exports.
The move underscores India’s approach to Washington: while New Delhi publicly insists it will protect its economic interests and continue purchasing Russian oil, it is also quietly working to smooth relations with the U.S. behind the scenes.
According to filings with the U.S. Department of Justice, India’s embassy has contracted Mercury Public Affairs, a firm employing several former Trump allies, to provide “federal government relations” and communications services. Former Republican senator David Vitter signed the $225,000 deal, which runs from mid-August to mid-November and will cost $75,000 per month.
This follows an earlier agreement with SHW Partners, also led by a former Trump adviser Jason Miller, worth $1.8 million which was signed soon after the Pahalgam attack. Taken together, India is now spending roughly $275,000 per month on its U.S. lobbying efforts.
Mercury’s roster includes Bryan Lanza, once communications director for Trump’s transition team, and the firm maintains links to Susie Wiles, the current White House Chief of Staff, who was registered as a Mercury lobbyist until late 2024. Mercury also represents governments from South Korea, Ecuador, Libya and Japan.
The lobbying push comes as bilateral ties have grown strained. Trump imposed a 25 percent secondary tariff on Indian goods earlier this year over New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil during the Ukraine conflict. Washington has also pressed India on agricultural and dairy market access, an issue that derailed a potential mini-trade deal in the spring.
Despite the frictions, Indian officials continue to keep the door open. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on August 23 that trade negotiations have not been abandoned, even after the tariff escalation.
