Amid simmering tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam incident on April 22 and Operation Sindoor, India and Pakistan have increased diplomatic attempts to influence international policy. Important individuals with strong connections to US President Donald Trump have been enlisted by New Delhi and Islamabad to serve as lobbyists in Washington, DC.
Pakistan has chosen Keith Schiller, an ex-bodyguard of the US president, while India has chosen Jason Miller, a longstanding Trump aide. The events take place as India and Pakistan use high-level delegations to reach out to the globe in an effort to maintain their position.
Delhi’s lobbyist in America will be Jason Miller, a senior assistant to Donald Trump. Throughout his career, the political strategist has been connected to the US president.
During the 2016 presidential campaign, he played a significant role in Trump’s communications staff. Miller was named the head of the presidential transition team after Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton to win the US presidency.
When Trump ran against Joe Biden for reelection in 2020, Miller rejoined the campaign as a senior advisor.
On Stephen Bannon’s radio program in 2022, Miller revealed Trump’s intention to run for the US presidency in 2024.
Delhi brings on Jason Miller
In Washington, Miller will represent India. For the first time in years, Miller has registered to advocate on behalf of the Indian government, as reported by documents from the US Justice Department cited by Politico.
SHW Partners LLC, led by Miller, will receive a monthly retainer of $150,000 for its services.
According to the Justice Department document, the former Trump associate would provide “strategic counsel, tactical planning” and traditional lobbying services, as well as public relations and reputation management services as needed.
Miller’s companionship with Trump may support Delhi’s diplomatic measures. “This is not a novel approach, Since the 1950s, this has persisted for several decades and under various administrations. The Embassy has frequently hired these companies in accordance with the circumstances.: During a recent press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) official spokeswoman, stated.
Islamabad employs Keith Schiller
Keith Schiller, who served as Trump’s bodyguard, will act as a lobbyist for Islamabad in the America. He began his association with the US president in the early 2000s, taking on the role of chief of security at Trump Tower in Manhattan. Previously, he was a detective with the NYPD. Subsequently, during Trump’s first term, Schiller was named Director of Oval Office Operations.
In December 2024, he and George Sorial, the former compliance officer for the Trump Organization, co-founded the consultancy business Javelin Advisors.
Schiller and Sorial registered to assist Pakistan in creating “long-term economic partnerships” in the United States by enhancing Pakistan’s connections with the U.S. government and commercial sector, according to the Politico story. The letter about Schiller’s firing was personally given to James Comey, the FBI director at the time, in 2017.
He also provided testimony on Trump’s 2013 travel to Moscow to the House Intelligence Committee that same year. According to CNN, he informed the committee that a Russian had offered to send ladies to Trump’s hotel room, but Schiller said the idea was quickly turned down as a joke.