Archive · 14 Nov 2025
RSS Denies Hiring US Lobbyists Amid Reports of $330,000 Payment
Imagine a group called the RSS, which is from India.
Some news reports said that the RSS paid a lot of money, like $330,000, to a law company in America to talk to important people in the US government for them.
This law company is also helping Pakistan talk to the US government.
Some politicians in India are upset about this, saying it's not good for India.
But the RSS said, 'No, we didn't hire any lawyers in America.'
They said they only work in India.
So, there's a disagreement between what the news is saying and what the RSS is saying.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) denied reports that it hired lobbyists in the United States.
Media investigations indicated the RSS allegedly paid $330,000 to the law firm Squire Patton Boggs for lobbying efforts.
US Senate disclosures show a Washington-based legal firm was hired to lobby on behalf of the RSS.
Opposition leaders criticized the RSS, citing the alleged payments and a potential link to a firm that also lobbies for Pakistan.
The RSS stated it works only in India and has not engaged any lobbying firm in the US.
- Who
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Squire Patton Boggs, State Street Strategies, Jairam Ramesh
- What
- Reports of the RSS hiring lobbyists in the US for approximately $330,000, and the RSS's subsequent denial of engaging any lobbying firms.
- When
- Friday (clarification), during the first three quarters of 2025 (alleged lobbying period), earlier this week (opposition statements).
- Where
- United States (US Senate, House of Representatives)
- Why
- To lobby US officials on behalf of the RSS and promote US-India bilateral relations, according to reports.
Reports and Opposition Claims
RSS Clarification
Lobbying Activities in the US
Reports and Opposition Claims
Media reports and opposition leaders claim the RSS paid approximately $330,000 to a US law firm, Squire Patton Boggs, via public affairs firm State Street Strategies, to lobby US Senate and House of Representatives officials between January and September 2025 to promote US-India bilateral relations.
RSS Clarification
The RSS, through its Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar, stated that it "works in Bharat and has not engaged any lobbying firm in the United States of America."
Pakistan Connection
Reports and Opposition Claims
Opposition leaders like Jairam Ramesh cite reports suggesting the RSS engaged one of Pakistan's official lobbying arms, the same firm that lobbies for Pakistan, which has also received payments from Pakistan. This is seen as betraying national interest.
RSS Clarification
The RSS clarification does not directly address the alleged Pakistan link or the specific firm mentioned in the reports, focusing solely on denying the engagement of any lobbying firm.
RSS Organizational Status
Reports and Opposition Claims
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pointed out that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently acknowledged the RSS is not a registered organization and does not pay taxes, questioning the legitimacy of spending significant funds on lobbying.
RSS Clarification
The RSS clarification does not comment on its registration status or tax payment but denies the lobbying engagement.
- Alleged Payment Amount
- $330,000
- Alleged Lobbying Firm
- Squire Patton Boggs
- Hiring Public Affairs Firm
- State Street Strategies
- Lobbying Focus
- Promoting US-India bilateral relations
- Time Period for Payments
- First three quarters of 2025
- RSS Statement Source
- Social media post from RSS Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar