New Delhi: A major political controversy erupted this week after revelations that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has hired a prominent American lobbying firm that simultaneously represents the government of Pakistan. The move, uncovered by U.S.-based investigative outlet Prism, has raised questions over the RSS’s global strategy, transparency, and the implications for India-U.S. relations.
According to official lobbying disclosures filed in Washington, Squire Patton Boggs (SPB)—one of the most influential lobbying firms in the United States—received USD 330,000 from the RSS’s U.S.-linked channels during the first three quarters of 2025. SPB is also part of a separate multi-million-dollar lobbying effort undertaken by Pakistan, which reportedly helped secure a tariff reduction for Islamabad from 29% to 19% under the Trump administration’s recent trade adjustments. During the same period, tariffs on India were increased to 50%, magnifying the political backlash.
Opposition Raises Sharp Questions
The disclosure has triggered strong political reactions within India. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the RSS for working with what he described as “one of Pakistan’s official lobbying arms,” calling the decision an act against national interest.
Ramesh also connected the controversy to ongoing debates about the RSS’s legal and financial accountability in India, citing recent remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat acknowledging that the organisation is not registered and does not follow standard taxation norms.
Concerns Over Compliance With U.S. Foreign Influence Laws
The Prism investigation highlighted significant legal concerns raised by American foreign influence experts. SPB filed its work for the RSS under the Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA)—a less stringent law. Experts argue that the nature of the work and the foreign client involved required registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which mandates detailed public disclosures of all communications with U.S. officials.
An exchange between SPB lobbyist Bradford Ellison and academic Audrey Truschke revealed hesitation on the part of the firm to confirm whether FARA rules applied. Truschke publicly stated that this form of lobbying by the RSS “may well be illegal under U.S. law.”
A Complex Web of Intermediaries
The filings show that the RSS is not listed as a direct client. Instead, the arrangement is structured through State Street Strategies, doing business as One+ Strategies, which engaged SPB “on behalf of the RSS.” One+ Strategies was co-founded by Bob Shuster, whose brother, former U.S. Congressman Bill Shuster, is one of the registered lobbyists on the account.
In June, Ellison, the Shuster brothers, and foreign policy analysts from the Hudson Institute were hosted by the RSS in Nagpur, where they attended a training camp—an indication of the depth of engagement.
The disclosures also list Vivek Sharma, a Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical executive associated with the RSS-linked Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation (USA), as a contributor to and supervisor of the lobbying efforts.
Global Ambitions and a New Strategic Push
Experts say the lobbying reveals a significant shift in the RSS’s global engagement strategy ahead of its centenary year in 2025. Investigative journalist Dinesh Narayanan, author of RSS and the Making of a Deep Nation, noted that the move is “uncharacteristic” and reflects an urgency within the organisation to expand internationally.
He described the hiring of a U.S. lobbying firm as the RSS effectively putting “a pracharak on hire” for strategic networking—something the organisation historically avoided. According to Narayanan, the RSS has intensified its direct outreach to foreign think tanks and influential power centres as part of its broader international projection.
A Broader Quest for Legitimacy
According to the SPB filings, the stated purpose of the lobbying is “U.S.–India bilateral relations” and “introducing the RSS to U.S. officials.” Analysts believe the organisation is attempting to reshape perceptions and establish its ideological footprint in the United States.
Narayanan adds that while the RSS wields immense domestic influence, projecting global strength is an ambitious leap: “It has global aspirations. Hiring a powerful American lobbyist indicates that the RSS is leaving no stone unturned in its attempt to be seen as a global thought leader—or Vishwaguru.”
Awaiting Further Responses
Neither the RSS nor Squire Patton Boggs responded to Prism’s queries. With political temperatures rising and legal questions mounting in the United States, both organisations are likely to face continued scrutiny in the coming weeks.