A disclosure of public lobbying activity in India is currently being highlighted by political scientist Ashok Swain, which suggests that India and Israel have hired Washington, D.C.-based lobbying and public affairs firm SHW Group to promote their agenda to U.S. policymakers and influential stakeholders.
Under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the activities of SHW Group encompass lobbying, strategic communications, media engagement and public affairs outreach on matters pertaining to South Asia and the Middle East security and stability. The disclosures have left analysts, keen on the emerging convergence of Indian and Israeli strategic interests, scratching their heads.
The documents come as India’s lobbying efforts in the US have come under more scrutiny. The Indian Embassy had a contract with SHW LLC worth $1.8 million, according to records, that was signed in April 2025. Led by former Trump adviser Jason Miller, the firm was asked to work on engagements with U.S. officials, policymakers and opinion-makers. Although the participants in the Indian military standoff with Pakistan in May 2025, after the attack on Pahalgam, maintained open communication with the U.S. military, documents seen by The Hindu reveal that SHW military officials had a wide-ranging dialogue with top American officials during the crisis.
Many of the lobbying disclosures include contact with people such as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and National Security Council official Ricky Gill about events concerning the conflict and media coverage. The Indian government has consistently denied that the U.S. was a mediator between India and Pakistan in the lead up to the ceasefire agreement, but in the filings, there was a high level of communication between Indian officials and U.S. officials during the crisis period.
The disclosures highlight a key emerging role for professional lobbying firms and public affairs companies – to drive foreign policy agendas, build political influence and contribute to international narratives in Washington, according to observers. The reported relationship between SHW Group has consequently led to a greater interest among researchers and geopolitical analysts on the topic of emerging partnerships and advocacy networks related to India and Israel.
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