India renews US lobbying contract with Trump aide Jason Miller’s firm

Summary

The Indian government has extended its lobbying contract in the United States with SHW Partners LLC, led by President Donald Trump’s close aide Jason Miller, for another year, according to filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The renewed contract, signed by the Indian Embassy in Washington, involves a monthly payout of $150,000 (Rs 1.43 crore) and will run until April 23, 2027. The scope of work includes “strategic counsel, tactical planning, and government relations assistance on policy matters before the US government, the US Congress, state governments, academic institutions, think tanks, and other relevant stakeholders,” as per the documents. As Trump took office early last year, the Indian Embassy in Washington hired two major lobbying firms, helmed by those considered part of the President’s inner circle. As per the American Embassy, Miller was here as a private citizen to meet his friend Sergio Gor. “Miller is visiting India as a private citizen to join the America 250 celebration and to visit his longtime friend, Ambassador Gor,” a US Embassy spokesperson said in response to a query by The Indian Express . It is believed that Miller has leveraged his longstanding ties with Trump to set up meetings and facilitate policy discussions on behalf of Indian diplomats. In September last year, against the backdrop of tensions in ties between India and the US over Washington’s policy on trade and tariffs, Miller met the US President and a few officials of his administration. Along with Ambassador Gor, who has a direct line to President Trump, Miller is considered India’s person in Washington, D.C. as his longstanding association with Trump could shape how effectively he navigates Washington’s power corridors for India. Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express.