Washington / New Delhi

The Indian Embassy in Washington hired a U.S. lobbying and strategic advisory firm linked to a former Trump aide to facilitate high-level engagements with the new U.S. administration on trade, national security, and intelligence cooperation, according to disclosures filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The filings show that the firm, SHW, was tasked with arranging meetings for External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Foreign Secretary, and the Indian Ambassador to the United States with some of the most powerful figures in Washington — including U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

Scope of Engagement: Trade, Operation Sindoor, and Bilateral Relations

According to the FARA documents, the engagement went beyond routine diplomatic outreach and included discussions on:

India–U.S. trade and economic relations

Operation Sindoor, a sensitive subject believed to involve security or intelligence coordination

Overall bilateral and strategic ties between India and the United States

The filings indicate that SHW’s role was to schedule meetings, provide strategic advice, and assist with outreach to senior U.S. officials during a period of political transition in Washington.

Why India Turned to a Trump-Linked Firm

SHW includes personnel with close links to Donald Trump’s political and policy ecosystem, a factor that appears to have influenced the Indian Embassy’s decision. With Trump back in office, governments around the world have been recalibrating their Washington strategies to engage individuals seen as having direct access to the White House and key decision-makers.

Hiring a lobbying firm is a common and legal practice in Washington, particularly for foreign governments seeking early engagement with a new administration.

FARA Filings Offer Rare Insight Into Diplomacy

Under U.S. law, any firm lobbying on behalf of a foreign government must register under FARA, making public details of contracts, payments, and areas of work.

Such filings often provide rare insight into behind-the-scenes diplomacy, revealing priorities that may not yet be reflected in official statements or joint communiqués.

In this case, the inclusion of the CIA Director and Defense Secretary among the requested meetings highlights the security and intelligence dimension of India–U.S. relations, alongside trade and economic issues.

Strategic Timing Amid New US Administration

The outreach appears to be part of India’s broader effort to secure continuity and influence early in the second Trump administration, particularly on:

Defense cooperation

Intelligence sharing

Technology and trade policy

Indo-Pacific strategy

India has traditionally enjoyed bipartisan support in Washington, but transitions between administrations often require renewed engagement at multiple levels.

No Official Comment Yet

Neither the Indian Ministry of External Affairs nor the U.S. officials named in the filings have issued public statements on the lobbying engagement so far. Diplomatic sources note that such arrangements are procedural rather than unusual, especially in Washington’s influence-driven policy environment.

Broader Context

India is not alone in using lobbying firms in the U.S. Capital. China, Pakistan, Gulf states, European governments, and tech-driven economies routinely retain Washington-based firms to shape narratives, access policymakers, and monitor legislative developments.

What sets this case apart is the level of officials involved and the explicit reference to a sensitive operation alongside trade and strategic cooperation.

Bottom Line

The FARA disclosures underscore how modern diplomacy increasingly blends formal statecraft with Washington’s lobbying ecosystem. For India, engaging a Trump-linked firm reflects a calculated move to safeguard its interests and maintain momentum in one of its most critical global partnerships during a period of political change in the United States.