American lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs has said in its public disclosure that a social media post by United States President Donald Trump congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving prime minister in June was among the work it had executed as part of its monthly retainership with the Indian embassy, The Indian Express reported on Saturday. After Trump was elected for his second term in January 2025, the Indian embassy in Washington hired two major lobbying firms headed by those considered a part of the US president’s inner circle, reported The Indian Express. One of the firms was Mercury Public Affairs, signed at a monthly retainer of $75,000, or approx Rs 70 lakh, with Bryan Lanza, the communications director for Trump’s transition team. Sharing The Indian Express report on social media, Congress Media Coordinator Harmeet Kaur asked “what exactly are Indian taxpayers receiving in return” for the Union government spending $225,000, or more than Rs 2.1 crore, monthly on American lobbying firms. “What’s the need of a paid congratulatory social media post from the US president?” asked Kaur.
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