In the immediate aftermath of the deadly April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead, both India and Pakistan have intensified their diplomatic offensives in Washington by hiring high-profile American lobbyists — many with close ties to President Donald Trump.
The move signals an aggressive new chapter in South Asia’s information war, one now playing out squarely in the heart of the U.S. capital.
According to recent filings under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), both nations have secured the services of influential Republican-connected lobbying firms to make their case directly to U.S. lawmakers and policymakers.
India Hires Top Trump Ally to Shape Narrative
India has signed a lucrative lobbying contract with Jason Miller, a former senior advisor to Donald Trump and one of the most prominent conservative political strategists in the U.S.
The contract, valued at $150,000 per month, tasks Miller with advancing India’s foreign policy interests, particularly in light of growing concerns about terrorism and regional instability originating from across the Line of Control (LoC).
Miller’s role will include organizing briefings with congressional leaders, coordinating media appearances, and pushing India’s case on Capitol Hill, especially regarding cross-border terrorism and the global designation of Pakistan-based militant groups.
This marks India’s most high-profile engagement of a U.S. lobbyist since 2008, when its aggressive lobbying helped secure the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement. At the time, India’s lobbying spending in the U.S. exceeded $5 million in a single year.
The Indian government has historically worked with firms like BGR Group and Cornerstone Government Affairs to enhance its diplomatic footprint in the U.S.
Pakistan Turns to GOP-Linked Lobbying as Well
Not to be outpaced, Pakistan has also moved quickly to secure representation from Republican-linked strategists.
The agreement includes a monthly retainer of $25,000, with additional one-time fees for strategic support.
This lobbying effort is part of a broader campaign by Islamabad to emphasize its commitment to regional stability, urge restraint in South Asia, and spotlight India’s actions in Kashmir on the world stage.
Interestingly, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) — the party founded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan — reportedly signed a lobbying deal with a U.S. firm to reestablish and recalibrate its relations with Washington.
In recent years, Pakistan’s official contracts have included firms such as Holland & Knight and Fenton Communications, with combined lobbying expenditures totaling several million dollars between 2018 and 2022.
Why Lobbying Matters Now
This new lobbying blitz comes at a critical juncture.
The U.S. remains a key player in South Asia, both as a diplomatic heavyweight and a major defense partner to India and Pakistan. With the 2024 U.S. presidential election still echoing in policy circles and Trump’s influence still strong in the Republican Party, hiring GOP-aligned firms is a strategic move by both governments.
Moreover, these lobbying efforts reflect a larger reality: that foreign governments are increasingly investing in Washington influence campaigns not just to manage bilateral relations, but to dominate global narratives — especially in conflict-prone regions like Kashmir.
A Broader Trend in International Diplomacy
India and Pakistan’s aggressive lobbying strategies are part of a growing trend where nations no longer rely solely on embassies for diplomacy. Instead, they are supplementing formal channels with private firms that offer media expertise, congressional outreach, and political muscle.
In the first quarter of 2025 alone, foreign governments spent over $80 million collectively on U.S. lobbying and influence operations, according to Department of Justice FARA disclosures.
For countries like India and Pakistan, such efforts are seen as critical to shaping how the U.S. views their respective roles in regional conflicts and global diplomacy.
Looking Ahead
With tensions simmering in Kashmir and international concern over potential escalation growing, India and Pakistan’s lobbying efforts are expected to continue — and likely intensify — in the months ahead. Whether these influence campaigns will translate into tangible policy wins in Washington remains to be seen.
What is clear is that both nations recognize the stakes, and they’re willing to spend big to shape the narrative in America’s corridors of power.
