Indian Embassy in Washington Hires Second Lobbying Firm Amid Tariff Concerns

The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. has engaged a second lobbying firm to bolster its strategic communications and outreach efforts in the United States, just days before a proposed 50% tariff on Indian exports is set to take effect.

According to filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Embassy signed a three-month contract worth $75,000 per month with Mercury Public Affairs, beginning August 15. The firm will handle federal lobbying, media relations, social media strategy, and advertising for India.

Mercury's India account will be represented by partners David Vitter, a former Republican Senator from Louisiana, and Bryan Lanza, who previously served as communications director during Donald Trump's 2020 transition. They will be joined by a four-member support team, including Kevin Thomas, the first Indian-American elected to the New York State Senate.

The firm's connections extend to Trump's inner circle, as his current Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was a registered lobbyist with Mercury until late 2024. Lanza himself has worked on several Republican campaigns, including Trump-Pence 2016 and J.D. Vance's Senate bid.

This hiring follows criticism that New Delhi was lagging behind Pakistan, which retained a lobbying firm led by former Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller. Earlier this year, India also signed a $1.8 million, year-long contract with Jason Miller's SHW Partners LLC, another Trump-linked consultancy.

Analysts note that it is not unusual for foreign governments to engage multiple lobbying firms in Washington, with some countries employing as many as six, given the varied functions they perform.