Jason Miller’s presence in Washington has stirred conversations in both diplomatic and political circles, given the sensitive timing of his meetings. As head of SHW Partners LLC, Miller was officially engaged by the Indian mission earlier this year under a contract reportedly worth USD 1.8 million for a one-year term. His role is to lobby on India’s behalf at a time when tensions between New Delhi and Washington have intensified following steep tariff measures announced by President Donald Trump.
The imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports has been justified by Trump’s administration on the grounds of India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Washington argues that such imports indirectly support Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine, a stance New Delhi has firmly rejected as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” The disagreement has created a noticeable strain in the bilateral relationship, which had otherwise been on a strong upward trajectory in recent years.
Although Miller did not reveal the specific details of his agenda in Washington, his meetings with Trump and senior members of the administration were highlighted through photographs shared online. His social media posts carried a tone of admiration, with one image featuring him alongside Trump, accompanied by a message praising the President’s leadership and referring to him as “in action.”
The optics of a high-profile lobbyist, officially hired by India, meeting with the very leader who has escalated trade tensions, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations. For India, the engagement of Miller signals a strategic move to ensure its concerns are strongly represented within Washington’s corridors of power. For Trump’s administration, however, such lobbying efforts will likely be weighed against its broader geopolitical calculus, particularly its hard stance on Russia and global trade.
As the situation unfolds, Miller’s role may prove crucial in shaping the narrative of India’s position in the United States, especially as New Delhi seeks to balance its energy security needs with growing pressure from the West. His meetings, while informal in presentation, carry the weight of a calculated diplomatic effort at a particularly turbulent time in the India-US partnership.
