India renews lobbying contract with Trump aide’s firm for a year at Rs 17 crore

As Trump took office early last year, the Indian Embassy in Washington hired two major lobbying firms, helmed by those considered part of the President’s inner circle.

On April 24, 2025, SHW Partners LLC was signed on for $1.8 million (Rs 17 crore) annually. The firm is led by Miller, Trump’s chief spokesperson during the 2016 campaign and his subsequent presidential transition. The other firm was Mercury Public Affairs, signed at a monthly retainership of $75,000 (Rs 71.4 lakh), with Bryan Lanza, communications director for the 2020 Trump transition team, in its core team. Susie Wiles, now Trump’s Chief of Staff, was also a registered lobbyist with the firm until late 2024.

When Operation Sindoor ended on May 10 last year, New Delhi reached out to Washington four times through Miller, as per FARA filings. The four calls made on the day were to Jamieson Greer, US Trade Representative; Ricky Gill of the US National Security Council; Steven Cheung of the White House; and Wiles, to discuss media coverage of Operation Sindoor, as reported by The Indian Express.

Documents also reveal that SHW Partners LLC assisted the Indian Embassy in Washington with trade deal negotiations and organised meetings for Indian officials.

Miller, who frequently acts as a bridge to Trump’s inner circle during major diplomatic engagements, made his first public appearance in India in May this year. He was among those walking the red carpet at the reception hosted by the US Embassy for Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

As per the American Embassy, Miller was here as a private citizen to meet his friend Sergio Gor. “Miller is visiting India as a private citizen to join the America 250 celebration and to visit his longtime friend, Ambassador Gor,” a US Embassy spokesperson said in response to a query by The Indian Express.

It is believed that Miller has leveraged his longstanding ties with Trump to set up meetings and facilitate policy discussions on behalf of Indian diplomats. In September last year, against the backdrop of tensions in ties between India and the US over Washington’s policy on tariffs, Miller met the US President and a few officials of his administration.

Even as there was no public announcement about the agenda of the Trump-Miller meeting, days later, President Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the India-US relationship as “special” and that they would always be “friends”.

Along with Ambassador Gor, who has a direct line to President Trump, Miller is considered India’s person in Washington, as his longstanding association with Trump could shape how effectively he navigates Washington’s power corridors for India.

Trump and Miller’s involvement dates back to 2011, when Trump was considering a presidential run in 2012. In the 2016 campaign, Miller formally joined as a senior communications adviser. Following Trump’s victory in 2016, Miller became the chief spokesperson for the presidential transition team. In Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign, Miller returned as a senior adviser. He was also a vital part of Trump’s 2024 campaign.