TOI correspondent from Washington: The Indian Embassy in Washington DC has employed a second lobbying agency to supply strategic communications companies together with federal lobbying, media relations, digital audit, social media technique and promoting simply days forward of the double whammy 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports to US. In line with overseas agent registration filings, the Embassy of India signed a $ 75,000 month-to-month retainer contract for 3 months with Mercury Public Affairs beginning August 15. Mercury companions David Vitter (a former Louisiana Republican Senator), and Bryan Lanza (communications director for the 2020 Trump transition staff) will signify the India account, supported by a 4 member staff that features Kevin Thomas, first Indian-American elected to the New York State Senate.Mercury has ties with Trump’s Chief of Workers Susie Wiles, who was a registered lobbyist with the agency until November 2024 when she joined the White Home. Lanza was the Deputy Communications Director for the Trump-Pence Presidential Marketing campaign in 2016. He additionally served as a advisor to J.D. Vance throughout his Senate marketing campaign.The newest hiring got here after criticism in some quarters about New Delhi being outplayed by Pakistan, which employed a agency led by former Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller to get a leg up on India, which had employed one other former Trump aide Jason Miller’s agency in April this yr. India’s year-long contract with Miller’s agency SHW Companions LLC prices the Indian taxpayer $1.8 million at a month-to-month charge of $150,000.It isn’t uncommon for overseas international locations and different main shopper to rent a couple of lobbying agency (typically as much as six) since they carry out totally different capabilities.