US Lobby Firm Squire Patton Boggs Ditches RSS Client Amid Controversy

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Washington D.C. - In a surprise move, Squire Patton Boggs, a prominent Washington D.C.-based lobbying firm, has confirmed that it has parted ways with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The firm's decision comes after a controversy erupted earlier this year over its lobbying activities on behalf of the RSS, which was reportedly hired to promote the organization's interests in the US. According to lobbying disclosures, Squire Patton Boggs was paid $330,000 for its work in 2025, which aimed to 'introduce the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to U.S. officials.' However, the firm has since terminated its contract with the RSS, effective September 30, 2025. The decision follows an amended lobbying disclosure made in December 2025, which revealed that the firm had been hired by an individual named Vivek Sharma, rather than the RSS itself. Sharma, the executive chairman of Cohance Lifesciences, was identified as the person who had hired the lobbying firm. Prior to his current role, Sharma had a long career in the pharmaceutical and financial sectors. Squire Patton Boggs had initially listed the RSS as its client in a registration statement filed in March last year, sparking concerns over the organization's influence in the US. The controversy surrounding the RSS's lobbying activities has been met with criticism from Indian opposition leaders, who have accused the organization of betraying national interest. However, an RSS spokesperson has denied engaging any lobbying firm in the US, claiming that the organization only operates within India. The issue has also raised questions over the firm's compliance with the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). While Squire Patton Boggs had registered under the Lobbying Disclosures Act (LDA) with the US Congress, its exemption from registering as a foreign agent has been questioned. The firm has also signed a contract to lobby on behalf of the government of Pakistan, which has since been terminated. The developments come as a surprise to many, given the significant controversy surrounding the RSS's lobbying activities in the US. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the firm's decision to part ways with the RSS will impact the organization's influence in the US.