India hires US firm Mercury to lobby Trump administration
Lobbying move seen as counter to Pakistan’s growing influence in Washington
Srinagar: India has hired US lobbying giant Mercury Public Affairs in a desperate attempt to influence the Donald Trump-led administration amid escalating tensions between New Delhi and Washington.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a public filing with the US Department of Justice revealed that India will pay Mercury $75,000 per month for “public relations, communications and government relations advice, including outreach to US media and officials.” The deal raises India’s total monthly lobbying expenditure in Washington to $275,000.
Mercury has assigned David Vitter, a former US Senator, and Bryan Lanza, a former Trump campaign official, to represent India. The firm has a record of political consulting, crisis management and coalition building for governments worldwide.
The development comes just days before new US tariffs of 25 percent on Indian goods are set to take effect.
Observers note that Islamabad has gained traction in Washington by arranging high-level meetings, including between its Army Chief General Asim Munir and President Trump, and by attracting US interest in Pakistan’s critical mineral and energy sectors.
Analysts believe India’s increased lobbying is aimed at countering Pakistan’s growing diplomatic footprint in Washington during Trump’s second term. KMS-12K
