The Embassy of India in Washington DC has signed a new contract with Mercury Public Affairs, a well-known American lobbying company. The deal is worth $225,000 for three months, starting from August 15, 2025. This means India will pay around $75,000 per month.
Mercury Public Affairs will provide several services, including federal lobbying, media outreach, advertising, social media strategy, and digital audits. The contract will run until mid-November 2025.
This move comes just days before new US tariffs on Indian goods take effect. From August 27, 2025, Indian exports to the United States will face a 50% tariff, combining an existing 25% tariff with a new 25% levy.
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Lobbying is the practice of hiring experts to communicate with government officials on behalf of a company, organization, or country. Lobbyists meet policymakers, provide information, run media campaigns, and advise on strategy to influence decisions. In the United States, foreign governments hiring lobbyists must register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). This ensures transparency about who is influencing government decisions.
Trade Penalties and Concerns Over Oil Purchases
The United States government has announced that Indian exports will now be subject to higher duties, which could make Indian products more expensive in the American market.
Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods. In this case, the United States has a 25% existing tariff on Indian exports and is adding another 25%, creating a total 50% tariff. This increase makes Indian products costlier for American buyers, which can affect Indian exporters’ sales and profits.
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In addition to tariffs, United States officials have raised concerns about India’s continued purchase of oil from Russia. Washington has warned that this could result in possible secondary sanctions, increasing pressure on India’s trade and diplomatic ties.
Secondary sanctions are penalties imposed on a country, company, or individual for doing business with another country that is already under sanctions. In India’s case, buying Russian oil could trigger these sanctions from the United States, affecting trade and financial dealings with American companies.
By hiring lobbying firms with strong connections in Washington, India aims to present its position and protect its economic and trade interests.
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Lobbying Push by India and Other Countries
India already has a separate lobbying arrangement with SHW Partners LLC, led by Jason Miller, a former adviser to Donald Trump. That contract is worth about $1.8 million per year and includes government relations, strategic advice, and managing India’s image in Washington.
Mercury Public Affairs is led by Susie Wiles, a close aide of Donald Trump. Both Mercury and SHW Partners are well-connected firms that provide advice on government relations, media campaigns, and strategic communication. Such firms are often hired by countries to ensure their voice is heard in important decisions in Washington.
India is not the only nation hiring US lobbying firms. Countries such as Denmark, Ecuador, Armenia, and South Korea have also signed deals with Mercury Public Affairs to represent their interests. Meanwhile, Pakistan has gone further, hiring at least six lobbying firms and spending around $600,000 per month to increase its engagement with the White House, US Congress, and federal agencies. These efforts show that several nations are actively seeking to influence decisions in Washington through professional lobbying.