India has enlisted the services of Mercury Public Affairs, a prominent lobbying firm, to provide federal government relations support and strategic advisory services in navigating the increasingly complex political environment in Washington, DC. The contract comes at a time of escalating trade tensions between New Delhi and the administration of President Donald Trump.
According to filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Indian Embassy in Washington signed a three-month contract with Mercury, running from mid-August to mid-November 2025. Under the agreement, India will pay the firm $75,000 (₹65.47 lakh) per month, amounting to $225,000 (₹1.96 crore) in total. Mercury’s appointment is noteworthy, given that Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles previously headed the firm’s Washington and Florida offices before joining his 2024 re-election campaign. In recent months, Mercury has also been retained by several other foreign governments, including those of Denmark, Ecuador, Armenia, and South Korea.
Mercury’s role complements India’s broader lobbying infrastructure in the United States. It supplements the existing $1.8 million annual contract with SHW Partners LLC, a firm led by former Trump adviser Jason Miller, which provides strategic counsel, government relations, and public image management. Together, these contracts reflect India’s stepped-up effort to counter Washington’s trade measures and maintain influence within Trump’s inner circle.
The urgency of these moves stems from the Trump administration’s decision to impose additional trade penalties on India. On August 27, 2025, a new 25% tariff took effect, doubling an existing reciprocal tariff. These measures were justified by Washington on the grounds of India’s continued purchase of Russian oil, with administration officials also signaling possible secondary sanctions. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated bluntly that New Delhi was unwilling to reconsider its energy ties, arguing, “India doesn’t appear to want to recognize its role in the bloodshed. It simply doesn’t.” With these tariffs, India has been grouped alongside Brazil in the highest levy bracket.
By contrast, Pakistan has escalated its lobbying spending dramatically, despite severe economic challenges. According to FARA filings, Islamabad now spends around $600,000 per month across six lobbying and strategic communications firms, aiming to secure favorable treatment from the White House, Congress, and U.S. agencies. This campaign has already yielded results: Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was recently granted a rare White House meeting, and the country has obtained a reduced tariff rate of 19%, significantly lower than India’s.
Key players in Pakistan’s lobbying network include Orchid Advisers LLC, paid $250,000 monthly, which works with Squire Patton Boggs to lobby U.S. lawmakers and institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Another, Seiden Law, earns $200,000 per month to promote economic partnerships in the critical minerals sector and shape U.S. tariff policy. Seiden has subcontracted Javelin Advisors, co-founded by Trump’s former bodyguard, Keith Schille, and ex-Trump Organization compliance chief George Sorial, for an extra $50,000 monthly. Additionally, Team Eagle Consulting was hired in October 2024 by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute under a $1.5 million contract to reshape U.S. public opinion and deepen ties with the Trump administration.
The Trump administration’s growing engagement with Pakistan has been reinforced by recent agreements in critical minerals cooperation and the launch of a new U.S.-Pakistan oil partnership, despite doubts about Pakistan’s actual reserves. Taken together, these developments highlight the competitive lobbying environment in Washington, with both India and Pakistan intensifying efforts to secure economic and diplomatic advantages under the Trump presidency.
