Web Desk | January 6, 2026
It has emerged that the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hired a US-based lobbying firm in an effort to influence former US president Donald Trump and the White House, spending nearly $1.8 million annually on the initiative.
According to sources, the Modi government has retained the services of SHW Partners LLC since April 2025, paying approximately $150,000 per month for lobbying activities in Washington. The firm’s mandate reportedly includes strategic outreach, political engagement, and monitoring or flagging of social media content related to India’s image and policy interests.
Critics argue that the move highlights the Indian government’s increasing reliance on external influence operations, particularly at a time when Prime Minister Modi has largely avoided formal press conferences and open media engagement over the past eleven years.
Analysts say the absence of transparent communication and direct dialogue has weakened India’s diplomatic messaging, forcing the government to resort to costly lobbying efforts abroad. They contend that such spending reflects institutional communication gaps rather than effective foreign policy strategy.
The revelation has sparked renewed debate over the cost-effectiveness and accountability of India’s overseas lobbying practices, with observers questioning whether public funds are being used to compensate for domestic and international credibility challenges.
