New documents submitted to the US Department of Justice have shed light on how India relied on a powerful American lobbying firm to reach senior White House officials on the very day the India-Pakistan ceasefire took place, triggering unease in diplomatic circles in Delhi.
Important disclosures have surfaced in filings made under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) with the US Department of Justice. The documents detail extensive contacts between the Indian embassy in Washington and key officials in the Trump administration on May 10, the day the ceasefire between India and Pakistan came into effect.
According to the filings, dozens of entries were recorded in December 2025, revealing close interactions on the ceasefire day, though it remains unclear whether the contacts occurred before or after hostilities ended.
Indian embassy contacted senior White House officials
The documents show that the Indian embassy reached out to Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Ricky Gill.
The stated purpose of the outreach was to discuss media coverage of the Indo-Pak conflict, including developments related to what India termed Operation Sindoor.
The contacts were facilitated through a US-based lobbying firm hired by New Delhi. The firm, SHW LLC, was contracted by the Indian Embassy on April 24, 2025. The firm is led by former Trump spokesperson Jason Miller, whose photograph with Donald Trump has also circulated publicly.
Report sparks concern
The disclosures have caused a wave of serious concern within India’s diplomatic establishment. According to a veteran Indian journalist, the documents indicate that India relied heavily on a lobbying firm for access to the White House and senior US officials.
This reliance contrasts with traditional diplomatic channels typically used by Indian missions abroad.
Meetings arranged for top Indian officials
The lobbying firm has confirmed that it arranged meetings for several senior Indian officials over the past year. These included engagements for External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor, and Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra.
The firm also helped arrange calls and meetings linked to India-US trade ties and security matters.
The revelations appear to contradict the repeated assertions of Narendra Modi’s government that the United States played no role in mediating the four-day India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam incident.
New Delhi has consistently denied claims by President Trump that he threatened to halt trade to force a ceasefire, as well as the significance of US mediation efforts acknowledged by American officials.
Financial details of lobbying contract
According to FARA filings, SHW LLC had no other clients during the year and was paid $900,000 in two quarterly instalments as part of an annual $1.8 million contract. It had been previously reported that the firm was engaged for $150,000 per month.
Former and current Indian officials described the arrangement as unprecedented, noting that while embassies often hire lobbyists for political advice, this was the first time a firm was tasked with directly arranging meetings and official calls.
Surge in calls amid trade tensions
Of the 60 recorded requests, 30 involved phone calls to White House and trade officials to discuss the status of US-India trade talks. The frequency of these calls increased as relations deteriorated over US decisions to impose 25% reciprocal tariffs and an additional 25% penalty tied to India’s oil purchases.
After tensions eased following cordial social media exchanges between Trump and Modi, the firm even contacted US officials to flag Modi’s posts online.
An Indian embassy spokesperson said the hiring of lobbying firms was consistent with long-standing local practice. Another official said lobbyists are mainly hired to understand the political landscape and open doors, while diplomats conduct substantive engagement directly.
However, former diplomats suggested the episode reflects changing rules of engagement under the Trump administration, leaving India with limited options but to adapt.
