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A US lobbying firm has listed US President Donald Trump’s social media post congratulating Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of its lobbying activities, for which it received payment from the Indian Embassy in Washington under a monthly contract.
The disclosure was reported by The Indian Express on Saturday.
According to the report, Modi was recognised in June last year for becoming India’s longest-serving prime minister. Trump congratulated him in a social media post, which Mercury Public Affairs subsequently included in its description of work for the Indian government.
After Trump returned to power for a second term in January 2025, the Indian Embassy in Washington hired two US lobbying firms, both of which have links to people close to the president.
The embassy signed a monthly contract worth $75,000 with Mercury Public Affairs. Brian Lanza, who served as communications director for Trump’s transition team, was associated with the firm. Susie Wiles, Trump’s former chief of staff, was also a registered lobbyist for the company until late 2024.
The details were disclosed in documents filed with the US Department of Justice. Under US law, individuals and organisations lobbying on behalf of foreign governments or entities are required to disclose their activities, relationships and financial transactions.
The second firm hired by the Indian Embassy was SHW Partners LLC, led by Trump ally Jason Miller. The company has a monthly contract worth $150,000 with India.
Under the agreement, the firm provides policy advice and facilitates engagement with the US administration, Congress, state governments, academic institutions and research organisations.
According to the filings, SHW Partners arranged telephone conversations between senior Indian and US officials in May, ahead of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India.
The firm also listed its role in organising the Indian Embassy’s ‘America@250’ events on May 23 and 24, which Rubio attended. Miller was also in New Delhi at the time.
Meanwhile, Harmeet Kaur, media coordinator of India’s opposition Congress party, raised questions after sharing the report on social media.
She questioned what Indian taxpayers were receiving in return for spending $225,000 every month on the two US lobbying firms.
She also questioned the justification for spending public money on lobbying activities that included Trump’s social media post congratulating Modi.
