Islamabad: A US lobbying firm hired by the Indian government for USD 75000 a month has listed President Donald Trump's congratulatory social media post to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi among its reported activities, according to documents filed with the US Department of Justice.
The Indian Express reported that the Indian government hired Mercury Public Affairs after Trump's return to the White House.
In June 2026, Trump congratulated Modi on becoming India's longest continuously serving prime minister. Mercury included the social media post in its disclosures of activities carried out on behalf of the Indian government.
The information emerged from filings submitted under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Links to Trump's political circle
Mercury Public Affairs has employed individuals with connections to Trump's political network.
They include Brian Lanza, who previously served as communications director for Trump's presidential transition team.
Susie Wiles, who later joined Trump's White House team, was also a registered lobbyist with the firm until late 2024.
According to the filings, the Indian Embassy in Washington entered into a contract with Mercury worth USD 75000 a month.
The agreement covered public relations, communications and assistance with engagement involving US government institutions.
Second lobbying firm paid USD 150,000 monthly
The Indian government also hired another US lobbying firm, SHW Partners LLC, headed by Trump associate Jason Miller.
The Indian Embassy signed a contract with the firm worth USD 150000 a month, equivalent to USD 1.8 million annually.
The firm was tasked with facilitating communication with the US administration, Congress and other institutions, providing policy advice and supporting government relations.
According to US filings, SHW Partners arranged eight telephone contacts between Indian government representatives and senior White House officials during May and June 2026.
The officials involved included US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Deputy National Security Adviser Michael Needham.
The communications concerned bilateral relations between India and the United States.
India initially signed the agreement with Miller's firm in April 2025 and extended it for another year in April 2026.
However, the contract was terminated on 23 June following Miller's appointment to the Trump administration.
India denies paying for Trump's post
Following the reports, India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a clarification on 7 November, stating that hiring US lobbying firms was a routine diplomatic practice.
The ministry said the Indian Embassy in Washington had been working with such firms since 1948.
According to the ministry, Mercury Public Affairs did not arrange or commission Trump's congratulatory message. Instead, the firm had merely amplified the post on the social media platform X.
The Indian government described suggestions that it had paid for Trump's congratulatory message as misleading.
The available documents also do not establish that Trump received any payment for publishing the message.
What is the US lobbying law?
Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, lobbying firms representing foreign governments or organisations must disclose information about their activities, contracts and payments to the US Department of Justice.
The law is intended to provide transparency concerning efforts by foreign governments to influence political and government affairs in the United States.
The disclosed agreements show that the Indian government contracted two lobbying firms in Washington for a combined USD 225,000 a month.
The arrangements were intended to support political engagement and facilitate access to senior US officials.
However, questions remain about the precise role Mercury Public Affairs played in promoting Trump's congratulatory message and the extent of its involvement.
The disclosures offer insight into the use of lobbying firms in US India diplomatic relations, the money spent on political engagement and the methods governments employ to maintain access to influential figures in Washington.
