Does former US Ambassador, Robert Blackwill, hired by the Indian government to lobby in the US, also working the reverse circuit.
NEW DELHI: Does former US Ambassador, Robert Blackwill, hired by the Indian government to lobby in the US, also working the reverse circuit, and lobbying for American companies in India?
Apparently, yes. Barbour Griffith & Rogers, the lobbying firm of which Blackwill is the star employee, was hired by India for successful completion of the Indo-US nuclear deal. It has also been pushing the envelope for American arms companies.
The government of India has paid over $1.2 million to Barbour Griffith & Rogers in 2007. And it has retained the firm for 2008 to lobby among US legislators.
Among the firm’s key clients are Lockheed Martin, which is pitching for a $10 billion contract from the Indian Air Force for 126 fighters, and Northrop Grumman, which is in the race to supply high-end radars and other equipment for Indian defence forces.
Legal experts and observers in the government are surprised by the government’s decision to hire a firm to look after its interests when there may be a conflict.
“The government has no business to appoint an agent of American arms companies as their own agent, especially when those companies are vying for Indian contracts,” says Prashant Bhushan, senior advocate, Supreme Court.
“The least they (the lobby firm) have to ensure is that the same person does not take up conflicting interests. If there is a substantial conflict of interest, the government could take a decision not to engage that firm,” says a former Indian ambassador to the US. “Under government of India rules, there cannot be agents for arms companies,” he admits, requesting anonymity.
When DNA sought the defence ministry’s response to a questionnaire, it got none for 10 days. The ministry of external affairs, which was sent another set of questions, did not respond to DNA’s queries.
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