Modi’s RSS Network Enters Washington: A Clear Violation of U.S. Law and a Threat to U.S. Democratic Processes

A New Foreign Push Led by RSS

A major and troubling shift has taken place as the RSS has hired a US lobbying firm for the first time in its history. This move is part of a clear attempt to expand the reach of Hindutva ideology beyond India’s borders and into the political circles of the United States. The decision reflects how the Modi government and the RSS aim to spread their agenda through foreign influence rather than democratic means.
♦ Hindutva Export Effort: RSS is openly trying to spread its ideology outside India.
♦ Political Influence Goal: The aim is to change views of US lawmakers in India’s favour.
♦ Foreign Pressure Tactic: India uses lobbying to push its political line into US institutions.

Engaging a Major US Lobbying Firm

Since January 2025, the RSS has engaged the well-known US lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs. The group has paid around $330,000 to influence US Congress members for political gains. This shows that the Modi government and the RSS are ready to spend large sums to create a favourable image abroad while ignoring democratic and human rights concerns at home.
♦ Large Payment Made: The RSS has paid a major amount to push its agenda.
♦ Congress Members Targeted: US lawmakers are the main audience of this campaign.
♦ Political Control Attempt: India wants to shape US policy through paid influence.

Avoiding Transparency Through Weak Registration

The lobbying registration was made under the US Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) instead of the more open and stricter Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). This raises serious questions because FARA requires full transparency about foreign influence campaigns. By avoiding FARA, the RSS and its backers show that they do not want the US public to know the full details of this effort.
♦ Transparency Avoided: Registration under LDA hides many key details.
♦ Foreign Influence Hidden: The RSS does not want open scrutiny.
♦ Possible Law Violation: This raises concerns about going against US rules.

Linked to the 100th Anniversary of RSS

The timing of this lobbying drive matches the 100th anniversary of the RSS, which is known for promoting Hindu nationalist ideas. The move shows a clear plan to use this moment to expand international networks. The RSS wants to turn this symbolic milestone into a global push for Hindutva acceptance in political and social spaces.
♦ Anniversary Used Strategically: RSS marks its 100 years with global expansion.
♦ Global Network Building: New links are made with US groups.
♦ Hindutva Promotion: The aim is to normalise their ideology overseas.

US-Based Hindutva Groups Act as Partners

The lobbying effort is supported by several US-based Hindutva-linked organisations, including CoHNA, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) and the Hindu American Foundation (HAF). These groups already promote RSS views in the US. Their involvement confirms a coordinated plan to spread Hindutva influence into American politics.
♦ Local Partners Involved: US-based groups work closely with RSS.
♦ Shared Ideological Goals: These groups hold the same Hindutva line.
♦ Wider Network Formed: RSS uses these partners to reach deeper into US society.

High-Profile US Visits to RSS Headquarters

In June 2025, several high-profile US figures visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. Visitors included Congressman Bill Shuster, Bob Shuster, Bradford Ellison, Walter Russell Mead and Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute. These visits show how deeply the RSS is trying to enter policy circles in the US and shape thinking at a senior level.
♦ Senior Americans Engaged: US political and policy figures were hosted in Nagpur.
♦ Influence Drive Visible: The visits match RSS goals of shaping opinion.
♦ Direct Political Access: The RSS now seeks open entry into US decision-making spaces.

Funding From India and US Hindutva Circles

Financial contributions for the lobbying campaign come from Indian sources and from US-based Hindutva organisations. This financial pattern shows a coordinated and well-funded effort to shape US policy in favour of the Modi government’s political line. The money flow reveals how the RSS uses international networks to expand its reach and influence foreign policy debates.
♦ Joint Funding Model: Money comes from India and US Hindutva groups.
♦ Political Agenda Supported: The aim is to push the BJP view into US policy.
♦ Well-Organised Operation: The funding structure shows careful planning.

A Direct Challenge to US Law and Democratic Principles

This emerging pattern shows how the RSS, supported by the BJP and Modi government, is trying to export Hindutva ideology while bypassing strict US transparency laws. By avoiding FARA, this campaign may be violating the spirit of US safeguards meant to protect democracy from foreign influence. It also exposes how the Modi government is now pushing its extremist agenda not only at home but across borders, spreading a message that goes against equality, tolerance and democratic norms.
♦ Possible Violation of US Rules: Avoiding stricter registration raises serious concerns.
♦ Threat to US Political Integrity: Foreign ideological influence enters American policy circles.
♦ Hindutva Export Exposed: India now spreads an extremist ideology worldwide.

Conclusion: A Global Push for Hindutva Under Modi’s Rule The RSS lobbying campaign marks a new and dangerous moment in India’s political expansion. Supported by the Modi government and US-based partners, the RSS is now trying to shape US opinion, influence Congress and push its ideology across borders. By avoiding full transparency, spending large sums of money and using international networks, India is actively spreading Hindutva into American policymaking spaces. This campaign exposes how the Modi-BJP-RSS alliance seeks to export its extremist agenda globally, threatening democratic values and weakening legal safeguards in the United States. The pattern is clear: Hindutva is no longer limited to India—it is being spread worldwide under Modi’s rule, using money, political access and foreign lobbying to push an agenda built on division and ideological control