An American lobbying firm hired by India disclosed in a public filing that it assisted the embassy in the United States in contacting four officials from the Trump administration on May 10.
However, the Indian embassy said that hiring the firm was consistent with "local practice and requirements."
The filing by SHW Partners LLC revealed that it helped the Indian embassy in reaching out to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Ricky Gill (National Security Council) to "discuss media coverage of Operation Sindoor".
It was on May 10, a ceasefire was announced between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor.
The firm submitted the details to the US Department of Justice (DoJ) under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) for the period between April and December 2025.
The lobbying firm disclosed that it helped the Indian mission engage with the Trump administration on a range of issues, including the proposed trade deal, during the period.
The firm’s assistance included facilitating meetings, phone calls, and email communications between Indian and US officials.
'Standard practice': Indian embassy
Reacting to the filing, the Indian embassy said that it was consistent with "local practice and requirements."
"It is a standard practice for embassies, private and business organisations in the USA to hire the services of lobbyists and consultants to augment outreach," the embassy told news agency PTI.
"The Indian embassy has hired such firms, consistent with local practice and requirements under successive governments since the 1950s," it said.
Citing the report, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "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."
SHW Partners LLC headed by Jason Miller was hired by the Indian embassy in April reportedly for USD 1.8 million for a year.
It was the second lobbying firm hired by the Indian embassy. In August 2025, the Indian Embassy had hired another lobbying firm to provide strategic communications services just days before the 50 percent tariff on Indian exports to the United States was set to take effect.
According to foreign agent registration filings then, the embassy had signed a three-month contract with Mercury Public Affairs beginning August 15, paying a monthly retainer of $75,000.
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