M A I N   N E W S

India appoints lobbying firm in USA

New Delhi, April 13
Keeping in view the fast-changing global scenario, India has appointed a top-ranking new lobbying firm in the USA on a monthly remuneration of $ 50,000 to present its position in proper perspective.

M/s Akin Gump Strauss Hauer Feld was selected after the Indian Embassy in Washington shortlisted six lobbying firms.

Among the considerations that went in its favour were that it ranked top among the leading 10 lobbying firms in the USA, according to the US National Journal, had the highest revenues among all six firms evaluated and enjoyed bipartisan links.

Several of the firms’ partners and advisers were perceived to be influential, with President George W. Bush’s administration.

The earlier contract with M/s Verner Liipfert came to an end after it was taken over by another law firm, M/s Piper Rudnick.

This created a "new situation", the External Affairs Ministry said in response to clarifications sought by the ministry’s Standing Committee of MPs in Parliament.

Liipfert became part of a new and larger entity whose main strengths were in the area of corporate law and not in lobbying. It was also uncertain whether leading assets and personalities of Liipfert would continue to be associated with the new entity, the MEA said.

During the selection process, a committee under India’s Ambassador in Washington Lalit Mansingh gave weightage to the firm’s standing and prestige, lobbying revenues, involvement of former Congressmen and politicians, influence and linkage with political parties, access to the White House, departments of administration and key Congressional Committee Chairs, and suggested a plan of action to represent Indian interests.

The Parliamentary Committee, under the chairmanship of Krishna Bose, stressed that concerted and specific efforts should be made by the Indian mission in the USA to increase the effectiveness of the lobbying firm not only to counter the anti-Indian propaganda but also to present, the positive strength of Indian polity and economy.

It asked the ministry to ensure that periodic assessment of the lobbying firm’s performance was sent regularly to it by the Indian Embassy to facilitate close monitoring.

The committee deplored the "lackadaisical" approach of the ministry relating to a number of pending construction projects and asked it to conduct an inquiry to find out how far the officials entrusted with task were responsible for delay in finalisation, execution and implementation of various projects and consequent non-utilization of funds. PTI