New Delhi, May 23 -- In an effort to bolster its diplomatic outreach to the Trump administration, the Indian government hired lobbying firm SHW Partners LLC last month. The firm -- helmed by former Trump adviser Jason Miller -- will be paid a monthly fee of $150,000 by the Indian government for its services.

"This is not a new practice. This has been in place for several decades and under successive governments since the 1950s. These firms have been regularly engaged by the Embassy as per the requirement of the situation. All such engagements are available in the public domain. In the run up to the Nuclear Deal in 2007 and thereafter, firms were engaged to strengthen India's case. I should also add that such a practice is common among Em...