The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh issued a clarification on Friday following claims that it had hired lobbyists in the US. The remarks came hours after media reports suggested that the Hindu group had paid out approximately $330,000 to boost its interests in the United States. The matter has also picked up political overtones with Opposition leaders lashing out at the right-wing group.
“Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh works in Bharat and has not engaged any lobbying firm in the United States of America,” read a social media post from RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had launched a scathing attack against the right-wing group earlier this week — accusing RSS of “betraying national interest”. He cited recent reports that indicated RSS had “spent a significant amount of money to engage one of Pakistan’s official lobbying arms” to underscore his claim.
“A few days ago, the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat acknowledged that the RSS isn’t a registered organisation and that it does not pay taxes. Now, we learn that the RSS has spent a significant amount of money to engage one of Pakistan’s official lobbying arms – the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) – to espouse its interests in the US,” Ramesh wrote on X.
US Senate disclosures say…
An official lobbying disclosure filed before the US Senate (and uploaded on its official website) indicated that a Washington-based legal firm was hired to lobby on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The document was submitted by US-based public affairs firm State Street Strategies which led the hiring of Squire Patton Boggs.
According to an investigation by news outlet Prism, the law firm received $330,000 to lobby officials in the US Senate and House of Representatives on behalf of RSS. Lobbying reports accessed by the American news outlet indicated that the significant sum was paid out during the first three quarters of 2025. Public documents accessed by ThePrint add that the firm was hired to on behalf of the RSS on 3 March — with a particular focus on promoting US-India bilateral relations.
Pakistan link?
According to a New York Times report published earlier this week, Squire Patton Boggs is also a lobbyist for Pakistan. The country had reportedly signed a deal with Orchid Advisors days after US President Donald Trump imposed hefty tariffs at the beginning of April. The deal was then subcontracted with Squire Patton Boggs.
The Trump administration had announced a significant tariff reduction (from 29% to 19%) for Pakistan, announced a trade deal and made repeated overtures to the other country. Meanwhile ties between India and the US hit new lows as tariffs increased to 50% and several longstanding American policies came under scrutiny.
