KEY POINTS
- Lobbying firm arranged meetings with top US officials for India.
- India sought to influence US media coverage during the standoff.
- Pakistan’s military and diplomacy widely recognised internationally for restraint and strength.
ISLAMABAD: The fresh revelations reveal that India hired a US lobbying firm to arrange meetings between its Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and top American officials during the May 2025 armed conflict with Pakistan.
Pakistan’s air supremacy
The four-day standoff began after India’s unprovoked attack on Pakistani territory, during which the Pakistan Air Force successfully downed six Indian fighter jets — including three Rafales — and intercepted hundreds of drones, underscoring Islamabad’s tactical superiority on the battlefield.
The conflict ended on May 10 following a US-brokered ceasefire, with Pakistan maintaining that it never requested third-party mediation, a diplomatic achievement demonstrating Islamabad’s restraint and commitment to peace.
Lobbying efforts revealed
Indian media outlet The Hindu reported that the Indian Embassy in Washington hired lobbying firm SHW LLC, led by Jason Miller, a former spokesperson for US President Donald Trump.
Documents filed under the US Department of Justice’s Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) indicate that the firm facilitated meetings for Foreign Minister Jaishankar, the Indian foreign secretary, and the Indian ambassador with senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, and CIA chief John Ratcliffe.
The lobbying effort, according to filings, also sought access to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and National Security Council official Ricky Gill on May 10, 2025.
The stated aim of these meetings was to discuss “media coverage” of the conflict.
Pakistan’s diplomatic edge
The revelations highlight India’s unprecedented reliance on foreign lobbying during a conflict it initiated, in stark contrast with Pakistan’s diplomatic stance.
Islamabad publicly thanked US President Donald Trump for helping end hostilities, while making clear that all ceasefire communications with India were managed directly, reinforcing Pakistan’s position of strength and moral authority on the international stage.
According to The Hindu, SHW LLC also coordinated meetings for Indian officials in June 2025, a month after the standoff, including for Shashi Tharoor and Jaishankar, emphasising India’s ongoing attempts to shape the narrative abroad.
Pakistan’s military successes and measured diplomatic approach during the May conflict have been widely recognised internationally, demonstrating Islamabad’s capability to defend its sovereignty while maintaining a credible and responsible stance in global diplomacy.
