Newly released filings in the United States have highlighted the involvement of an American lobbying firm with close ties to former President Donald Trump in diplomatic outreach on behalf of India during a sensitive geopolitical moment. The firm, SHW Partners LLC, led by Republican strategist Jason Miller, was hired by the Indian government and engaged senior US officials on the same day India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor.
Documents submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act show that on May 10, SHW Partners assisted the Indian Embassy in Washington by reaching out to four high-ranking officials from the Trump administration. Those contacted included White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and National Security Council official Ricky Gill. According to the filings, the communication focused on responding to international media narratives surrounding Operation Sindoor.
The date of the outreach has attracted attention because it coincided with the official announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Later that evening, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly confirmed that hostilities had been halted. The overlap between the diplomatic engagement and the ceasefire declaration has sparked political discussion within India.
The disclosures, submitted to the US Department of Justice, cover lobbying activities conducted between April and December 2025. During this period, SHW Partners reported supporting India’s engagement with the Trump administration on multiple fronts. Beyond Operation Sindoor, the firm was also involved in conversations related to a proposed India US trade agreement. Its responsibilities included coordinating meetings, arranging phone discussions, and managing email exchanges between officials from both countries.
SHW Partners was brought on board by the Indian Embassy in April under a one-year contract valued at approximately $1.8 million. Jason Miller, a long-standing Trump adviser and former spokesperson, is considered a prominent figure within Republican political circles, giving his firm direct access to influential policymakers aligned with the former president.
Responding to questions raised by the filings, the Indian Embassy stated that the arrangement followed established diplomatic norms in Washington. It explained that embassies, corporations, and business groups in the United States commonly hire lobbyists and consultants to assist with government outreach, noting that India has used similar services under successive administrations since the 1950s.
SHW Partners was the second lobbying firm engaged by the Indian Embassy in 2025. In August, shortly before a proposed 50 percent tariff on Indian exports to the United States was expected to take effect, the embassy also hired Mercury Public Affairs. Records show that the three-month contract began on August 15, with a monthly retainer of $75,000.
