India Defends US Lobbying, Citing 1948 Start

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said hiring lobbying firms in Washington is a normal diplomatic practice and that India has engaged firms there since 1948. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such work—including outreach to U.S. officials and lawmakers—is conducted under U.S. law and disclosed through the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The comments followed questions about a filing by Mercury Public Affairs, which the ministry said described the firm’s role as limited to disseminating a post on X congratulating Narendra Modi on his tenure as India’s longest-serving prime minister.