Jason Miller and Keith Schiller: How two lobbyists are influencing US ties with India and Pakistan

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.

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.

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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 high cost & mixed success of lobbying for favour

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.

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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.

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.