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First Post
10-08-2025
- Business
- First Post
Jason Miller and Keith Schiller: How two lobbyists are influencing US ties with India and Pakistan
Washington's corridors of influence are seeing a shift—where partisan politics give way to personal connections and backstage strategists. Today, in the Trump-era capital, India and Pakistan have staked their fortunes not on party allegiances but on the strengths of their chosen 'Trump whisperers'. Read here read more With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, a new era has dawned where personal connections often trump formal negotiations. India and Pakistan have staked their fortunes not on party allegiances but on the strengths of their chosen 'Trump whisperers' Jason Miller and Keith Schiller whose access and tactics could be shaping tariff policies, diplomatic gestures and even the balance of goodwill in South Asia. The Trump 'whisperers': A tale of two lobbyists India's choice, Jason Miller, is a seasoned political operative with deep roots in the Republican party. He's a veteran of Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns and is now advising the 2024 effort. India hired his firm, SHW Partners for a substantial $1.8 million contract with a clear mandate: provide strategic guidance and manage relations with Congress and other key stakeholders. On the other side is Keith Schiller, a man whose influence is built not on political resumes but on personal loyalty. A former NYPD detective and Trump's trusted bodyguard for over two decades, Schiller's firm, Javelin Associates, works for Pakistan. His contract is a fraction of India's, at a monthly fee of $50,000, but his access to the president is considered unmatched. While both are labelled 'Trump whisperers,' recent events suggest Schiller's personal connection may be proving more effective than Miller's political expertise. This has become particularly clear in the recent disputes over tariffs and diplomacy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tariffs, diplomatic snubs & shifting tides The recent tariff dispute highlights the diverging fortunes of the two nations. Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, was extended a rare invitation for a White House luncheon, a gesture widely seen as a diplomatic win. Meanwhile, India was hit with a total 50 % tariff and penalty if it continues to buy Russian oil, a sticking point that has been publicly criticised by Trump's top aides, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Pakistan's tariff rate, in contrast, remains at a much lower 19%. This disparity has raised eyebrows in New Delhi. Yet, insiders insist Trump remains unpredictable. Despite deep ties, Schiller's proximity does not guarantee favourable outcomes, his White House tenure ended in 2017 and some say Trump ultimately makes decisions based on what he believes is in America's best interest, the optics suggest that Schiller's personal access to the President may be carrying more weight. Miller was considered for White House communications director but isn't part of the current inner circle. The real trump card? Personal diplomacy: Trump favours direct calls, private meetings and often a round of golf. Leaders like Japan's Shinzo Abe bonded with Trump through golf; South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol began playing the sport to build rapport. PM Modi, however, declined an invitation to the White House on the very day Pakistan's army chief was hosted, a gesture interpreted as distancing, possibly contributing to India's frosty treatment on tariffs and energy policy. The Prime Minister's tough stance on tariffs and Russian oil, coupled with a more hands-off approach to direct engagement with Trump has reportedly ruffled feathers. One Indian diplomat explained that PM Modi prefers to leave tariff negotiations to his team, but this traditional method appears to be at odds with Trump's more personal, and often ego-driven, style of diplomacy. The h igh c ost & m ixed s uccess of l obbying for f avo u r Washington is now a battleground for influence, with countries spending tens of millions for lobbying contracts. Thirty countries hired new lobbyists specifically to navigate Trump's trade agenda this year; Pakistan alone brought on seven firms, with Schiller's team credited for helping to soften tariff rates. India's big bet on Miller has yet to yield similar dividends. Both lobbyists have different strengths, Miller's is political acumen and message discipline, Schiller's is personal trust and access. But outcomes remain unpredictable as diplomatic wins often depend on a leader's ability to engage Trump directly, not just their hired hands. Lobbying in the Trump era While Trump ultimately makes decisions based on what he sees as American interests, the right intermediary can still help frame those interests. Schiller's network—rooted in personal loyalty—appears to have helped Pakistan avoid harsher tariff treatment. Miller, despite his campaign pedigree, has yet to deliver visible wins for India six months into his contract. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The broader reality is sobering: dozens of countries have poured millions into lobbying Washington since Trump's return, from economic heavyweights like Japan to smaller players like Ecuador, often with mixed or negligible results. Switzerland's president flew in to plead against a 39% tariff but left with little more than a handshake from a non-trade official. 'The current leadership in Washington seems to be disrupting the traditional way of doing things. It's not just about the business part, it's about diplomacy, it's about dealing with other nations. I think the whole old model of trying to influence does not seem to work,' Mukesh Aghi, CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum was quoted as saying. The stakes go far beyond tariffs. In a Washington where access is currency, the competition between Miller and Schiller could quietly shape not just trade flows, but the geopolitical dynamics of South Asia itself.
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tariffs, phone calls and power plays: How two lobbyists are shaping US-India-Pakistan relations
Washington is no longer about Democrats or Republicans. It's about who's 'in' and who's 'out.' This is the new reality, and India may be learning it the hard way. After a recent tariff dispute with the US, questions have surfaced over whether India's lobbyist is cutting through the noise or if Pakistan's man in Washington has the upper hand. Back in May, India brought in Jason Miller through his firm SHW Partners, signing a hefty $1.8 million deal for a year's work. Miller is no stranger to Trump; he advised the President during his campaigns in 2016, 2020, and now 2024. His mandate is clear: provide strategic advice, plan tactics, and manage relations with Congress and other US stakeholders. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Meanwhile, Pakistan hired Keith Schiller , Trump's former bodyguard and Director of Oval Office Operations. Schiller's firm, Javelin Associates, charges a comparatively modest $50,000 per month. He's been close to Trump for over two decades and runs Javelin alongside George Sorial, a former Trump Organization counsel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Highlights from Bollywood 2025 that captured attention Learn More Undo While both men are tagged as 'Trump whisperers,' recent developments suggest Schiller's influence is resonating more with the President than Miller's. The power play on tariffs and diplomacy Look at the recent moves: Trump invited Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, for a White House luncheon, a rare nod. Meanwhile, India faced a 25% tariff, with a further punitive 25% penalty looming if it continues buying Russian oil. Pakistan's tariff is much lower, at 19%. This tilt raises eyebrows in New Delhi, signalling that Schiller's connections may be carrying more weight. Live Events But insiders caution against over-simplifying the story. One White House official noted the term 'Trump whisperer' is misleading because Trump ultimately calls his own shots, driven by what he believes benefits America. Schiller, they say, left his White House post in 2017 after less than a year, and his closeness to Trump is sometimes overstated. Miller, meanwhile, turned down a White House communications director role after 2016, so he's not exactly inside the Oval Office anymore either. Golf, calls and the real levers of influence The best lobbyists? Foreign leaders themselves. Trump loves personal calls and face-to-face meetings. It's about ego, investment promises, and even golf. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe famously bonded with Trump over golf, and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol reportedly took up the sport to connect better. India, however, is more about cricket than golf, and it hasn't exactly scored a hole-in-one. Prime Minister Modi declined Trump's White House invitation on the day Pakistan's army chief was hosted. Modi's tough stance on tariffs and Russian oil, coupled with limited engagement, reportedly ruffled Trump's feathers. As reported by TOI, an Indian diplomat explained, 'The Prime Minister does not negotiate on tariffs over the phone. He leaves it to the negotiating.' But the reality is, Trump's approach often favours the personal, sometimes punishing those who don't play along. When direct access can backfire Washington is littered with examples of leaders who lost out after calls or visits. South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa was publicly embarrassed, and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky faced humiliation in the Oval Office. On the flip side, calls from Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum and Vietnam's Lo Tam bought their countries some breathing room with tariffs. Switzerland's President Karin Keller-Sutter recently flew in to try and avoid a 39% tariff but failed to meet anyone influential. She left empty-handed after only seeing a Secretary of State with no trade authority. This reflects a broader trend. Countries are spending millions to lobby Washington since Trump's return to office, but results are mixed at best. Politico reported 30 countries hired new lobbyists this year alone, including Pakistan's seven firms, with Schiller's team helping to lower tariff rates. India, despite its big contract with Miller, seems to be struggling to influence outcomes. What's behind the lobbying scene? Jason Miller's story is rooted in long-term political experience. Born in the mid-1970s in Washington state, he rose through Republican circles, managing campaigns and advising various candidates before joining Trump's team. His firm's contract with India covers strategic advice and government relations, but six months in, the results seem underwhelming. Keith Schiller's profile is different. A former NYPD detective and Trump's trusted bodyguard, he knows Trump personally and has been part of his inner circle. His firm's smaller fee and hands-on approach seem to be paying off for Pakistan. Mukesh Aghi, CEO of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, captured the essence when he said, 'The current leadership in Washington seems to be disrupting the traditional way of doing things. It's not just about the business part, it's about diplomacy, it's about dealing with other nations. I think the whole old model of trying to influence does not seem to work.' This sums up the challenge. Influence isn't just about who you hire; it's about how you connect, adapt, and play the game.
