Indian embassy paid Trump-linked lobbying firm that delivered president's congratulatory post to Modi
Mercury Public Affairs listed the message among 'tasks executed' in its Foreign Agents filing, New Delhi spends 225 000 dollars a month on two firms staffed by Trump insiders
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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
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A disclosure filing by the American lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs lists a social media post by President Donald Trump congratulating Narendra Modi on becoming India's longest-serving prime minister among the tasks it executed for the Indian embassy in Washington, The Indian Express reports. The post appears in the filing as a deliverable, itemized alongside other work performed under a monthly retainer of 75 000 dollars.
The Indian embassy hired two lobbying firms after Trump's second inauguration in January 2025, both headed by figures described as part of the president's inner circle. Bryan Lanza, communications director for Trump's transition team, is associated with Mercury. Susie Wiles, Trump's former chief of staff, was a registered lobbyist with the firm until late 2024. The second contract went to SHW Partners, headed by Trump aide Jason Miller, at 150 000 dollars a month — its filing describes 'strategic counsel, tactical planning and government relations assistance'. SHW also disclosed arranging phone calls between New Delhi and senior US officials in May ahead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India, and listed two embassy events with Rubio on May 23 and 24. Miller was in New Delhi during the same visit.
The filings were made under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, the disclosure regime created to expose foreign influence. Its function has quietly doubled: the mandatory paperwork now functions as a public price list for access to the American executive, showing exactly what a foreign government gets for its monthly fee and from whom. Mercury's June deliverable suggests the product can include the president's own communication output — a congratulatory post Modi answered on X, and which the BJP ecosystem celebrated as a diplomatic milestone.
Indian opposition politicians have begun asking what the arrangement costs. Congress media coordinator Harmeet Kaur noted that taxpayers in India are spending 225 000 dollars a month on the two firms and asked what a paid congratulatory post from the US president was needed for. The New Delhi government has not answered.