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Asha Motwani calls for stronger India lobby in Washington
Calling lobbying and public relations “open and legal,” she argued that India, like other countries, must engage professional firms in Washington despite current frictions.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 03, Sep 2025
- 06:52 EDT
- 51
Asha Jadeja Motwani / Indiaspora
Indian-American venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani urged the creation of a stronger India lobby in Washington, stressing the need for the private sector to invest in building influence with U.S. policymakers.
In a post on X, the republican donor outlined her recommendations to strengthen U.S.-India relations, particularly in the context of President Donald Trump’s political circles. She underlined the importance of maintaining “constant lines of communication in Washington DC in Trump circles,” noting that these networks differ from the State Department.
Also Read: GOP ‘megadonor’ Asha Motwani offers to help India understand Trump
Calling lobbying and public relations “open and legal,” she argued that India, like other countries, must engage professional firms in Washington despite current frictions. “Even if we are currently upset with the US and Trump, America is an important partner and friend of India and it is critical that we get things back on track,” she said.
Motwani stressed that India’s private sector must contribute significantly to such efforts. “Like every other country that spends significant amount on creating influence in Washington, we from the private sector in India must spend substantial amounts to build influence in DC. This is money well spent,” she wrote.
Creating an India lobby in Washington.
— Asha Jadeja Motwani (@ashajadeja325) September 1, 2025
My goal is to have US-India relations to succeed and strengthen further. To further that goal, here are my recommendations: 1) Maintain constant lines of communications in Washington DC in Trump circles. Trump circles are different from the…
She also singled out large corporations, urging Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance group in particular to step up. “Every large foreign company is doing that. The only one glaringly missing is Reliance. Even Adani is pitching in small time into building relations in Washington DC,” she added.
Her remarks come at a time when U.S.-India ties are under strain. In late August, the Trump administration imposed steep tariff hikes on Indian imports, doubling duties to 50 percent. The White House said the move was a response to India’s purchases of discounted Russian crude, which Washington argues indirectly supports Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
The escalation has cast a shadow over relations, which only months ago were buoyed by the launch of the “Mission 500” initiative during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s U.S. visit, aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
Trade talks have faltered in recent weeks, with several rounds ending inconclusively. Still, Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal has said discussions remain underway and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, India has intensified its own lobbying in Washington. The Indian Embassy recently signed a $75,000-per-month contract with Mercury Public Affairs, a firm with close ties to Trump’s political network, to handle lobbying, media relations and digital outreach.
This comes on top of a $1.8 million annual agreement with SHW Partners LLC, led by former Trump advisor Jason Miller.
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