The Indian Embassy in Washington DC has engaged a second lobbying firm to deliver strategic communication services, which encompass federal lobbying, media relations, digital audits, social media strategies, and advertising, just days before the imposition of a 50 percent tariff on Indian exports to the US.
As per foreign agent registration documents, the Embassy of India has entered into a contract with Mercury Public Affairs for a monthly retainer of $75,000 over a three-month period, commencing on August 15.
Representing the India account will be Mercury partners David Vitter, a former Republican Senator from Louisiana, and Bryan Lanza, who served as the communications director for the 2020 Trump transition team, along with a four-member team that includes Kevin Thomas, the first Indian-American elected to the New York State Senate.
Mercury has connections with Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who was a registered lobbyist with the firm until November 2024, when she transitioned to the White House.
Lanza previously held the position of Deputy Communications Director for the Trump-Pence Presidential Campaign in 2016 and also acted as a consultant for J.D. Vance during his Senate campaign.
This recent hiring follows criticism from certain sectors regarding New Delhi’s perceived disadvantage against Pakistan, which has engaged a firm led by former Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller to gain an advantage over India, which had previously contracted another former Trump aide, Jason Miller’s firm, in April of this year. India’s contract with Miller’s firm, SHW Partners LLC, spans a year and costs the Indian taxpayer $1.8 million at a monthly rate of $150,000.
It is not uncommon for foreign nations and other significant clients to retain multiple lobbying firms as they fulfill various roles.
