Govt hires ‘friend’ Blackwill firm to lobby in US

After his term as US ambassador to India (2001-2003), Blackwill was a key member of the Bush Administration’s team on foreign policy. He was Deputy Assistant to President George W Bush, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Planning as well as Presidential Advisor to Iraq during the first term of the Bush Administration.

Blackwill joined the firm in November 2004.

Last year, New Delhi terminated the services of its previous lobbyists, M/s Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld, after Washington’s $12-billion military package including F-16 fighters to Pakistan. The firm was hired at $600,000 per year.

After the termination of Akin Gump’s services, New Delhi did not hire any lobbyist as it felt that there was no need for a general lobbying firm but only specialists. And that, too, on a case-to-case basis.

The decision to hire Blackwill’s firm comes amid signs that a section of the Democrats may question the nuclear deal arguing that the nuclear edifice, set up by the P-5 since NPT, was being dismantled by the Bush administration only for India.

The Indo-US nuclear deal is clearly on a reciprocal basis with New Delhi ready to assume the same responsibilities and practices and acquire the same benefits and advantages as other leading countries with advanced nuclear technology such as the United States.

Under this agreement, New Delhi will separate its civilian and nuclear facilities with the former being placed under IAEA safeguards after the Bush Administration will get US laws and policies adjusted through Congress towards full civilian nuclear energy cooperation that includes fuel supplies.

While BGR is Washington DC’s top Republican lobbying firm, New Delhi is also working hard to address concerns of key Democrat Congressmen. With the Congress expected to convene after Labour Day (September 5), Ronnen Sen and his team have met several senior Democrats to allay their concerns.