ISLAMABAD: Recent developments in India-US relations have highlighted apattern of diplomatic challenges for Prime Minister Narendra Modi,particularly in securing direct engagement with US President Donald Trump.Despite persistent attempts through high-cost lobbying arrangements, Modi’sadministration has encountered difficulties in gaining the desired level ofaccess and influence in Washington. President Trump himself remarked inearly January 2026 that Modi appeared eager to please him, specificallyreferencing adjustments in India’s Russian oil imports to align with USpreferences, yet this has not translated into substantial concessions orhigh-profile meetings, raising questions about the effectiveness of NewDelhi’s outreach strategy.
The Indian government has invested significantly in US-based lobbying firmsto facilitate communication with the Trump administration. In April 2025,the Indian Embassy contracted SHW Partners LLC, headed by Jason Miller, aformer Trump adviser, for an annual fee of 1.8 million dollars. Thiscontract, registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, includesstrategic counsel, tactical planning, and perception management. The firmhas been active in arranging interactions, including a notable meetingbetween Miller and President Trump in September 2025 amid escalating tradetensions. Despite these efforts, critics argue that such reliance onexternal lobbyists underscores deficiencies in conventional diplomaticchannels.
Further intensifying its approach, India engaged a second firm, MercuryPublic Affairs, in August 2025 for a short-term period, paying 75,000dollars monthly. This firm maintains close ties to key Trump administrationfigures, including former employees now in high White House positions. Themove came as the US imposed additional tariffs on Indian exports, citingIndia’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Lobbying expenditures have thussurged, with reports indicating multiple firms engaged simultaneously tonavigate tariff threats and secure favorable trade outcomes. However, theresults remain mixed, as tariff pressures persist and direct bilateralengagements have not materialized as hoped.
Indian journalists have offered pointed critiques of these developments,highlighting perceived shortcomings in diplomatic acumen. Sushant Singh, anoted commentator, has questioned the utility of India’s embassy if evenroutine meetings require lobbying intermediaries. He suggested that theinability of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to secure appointmentswith influential US senators like Marco Rubio or Pete Hegseth reflectsdeeper institutional weaknesses. Similarly, other analysts have pointed toa lack of press engagement by Modi, noting his avoidance of formal pressconferences over 11 years in office, which they claim hampers effectiveinternational communication and contributes to unilateral policyperceptions.
President Trump’s comments on January 4, 2026, provided a revealing insightinto the dynamics at play. Speaking to reporters, he stated that Modi knewhe was displeased with India’s Russian oil purchases and took steps toaddress this concern in an effort to satisfy him. Trump described Modi as agood man and emphasized the potential for quick tariff adjustments if Indiafailed to comply fully. While India did reduce imports temporarily betweenJune and October 2025, volumes rebounded in subsequent months, indicatingincomplete alignment. This public characterization by Trump, framingIndia’s policy shifts as personal accommodations, has been interpreted byobservers as diminishing New Delhi’s strategic autonomy in global energydecisions.
These events occur against a backdrop of broader strains in India-US tiessince Trump’s return to office. Trade disputes, particularly over tariffslinked to energy sourcing and perceived favoritism toward other partners,have complicated the comprehensive global strategic partnership. India’slobbying strategy, while proactive, appears to have yielded limitedtangible benefits in terms of tariff relief or elevated diplomatic access.Analysts suggest that the heavy expenditure on lobbyists, amounting tomillions annually, funded ultimately by Indian taxpayers, raises concernsabout efficiency and accountability in foreign policy execution.
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The situation has sparked debate on the balance between traditionaldiplomacy and outsourced influence operations. While lobbying is a standardpractice in Washington for many nations, India’s increased dependence amidthese challenges points to evolving pressures in bilateral relations. Astrade negotiations continue and geopolitical alignments shift, theeffectiveness of such approaches will remain under scrutiny, particularlygiven the public statements underscoring personal rather than institutionalengagement.
Source:https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pm-modi-knew-i-wasnt-happy-says-trump-hints-at-new-tariffs-over-russian-oil/article70472893.ece
Tags: Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, India-US Relations, Lobbying Firms,Russian Oil Imports
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