New Organization ‘RSS Friends’ Registers as Foreign Agent in US, Challenging Past Stance on Lobbying
In a significant development concerning its international outreach, a newly identified entity, RSS Friends, officially registered with the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) as a foreign agent acting on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The registration, completed on August 27, marks a departure from the long-standing position of the RSS, which has previously insisted that it does not engage in lobbying efforts within the United States.
Disclosure Under FARA
The filing, made under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), formally names the RSS—citing the organization’s headquarters at Keshav Kunj in New Delhi—as its “foreign principal.” While the documentation specifies that the group’s operations will primarily focus on “informational, educational, public-relations, and community-engagement activities,” it notably lacks a formal employment or lobbying contract with the RSS.
The filing clarifies that the absence of a written contract should not be interpreted as a lack of connection, stating, “The absence of a written contract should not be understood as a representation that no relationship, request, understanding, coordination, authorisation, direction, or other relevant factual connection exists.” RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambekar has remained silent on the matter despite repeated requests for clarification.
Strategic Timing and Objectives
The registration took place just days before RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat addressed a major rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. As the organization marks its centenary, this formal entry into the US regulatory sphere suggests a move toward greater transparency regarding its international presence.
According to its official website, the group’s mandate is to rectify what it describes as “misconceptions” regarding the RSS that have negatively impacted the Indian diaspora and Hindu Americans. The website argues that these misconceptions are the product of “politically motivated actors.” Although the organization’s precise age remains ambiguous, its digital footprint dates back to 2017.
The DoJ filing identifies three key figures linked to the group: Rajendra Sonarikar, Pratikkumar Suthar, and Jayant Pant. Notably, Suthar’s professional profile identifies him as a coordinator for global outreach within the RSS, a role he has held since early 2024.
A History of Lobbying Controversy
This latest registration follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the RSS’s relationship with US political channels. In late 2025, public disclosures revealed that the elite lobbying firm Squire Patton Boggs had received $330,000 for work conducted on behalf of the RSS. At that time, the organization categorically denied hiring lobbyists. Following significant political backlash in India—spearheaded by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who accused the organization of prioritizing partisan agendas over national interest—the contract was terminated in September 2025.
The formation of RSS Friends is widely viewed as part of a broader, systematic initiative to broaden the organization’s influence in the West. Earlier this year, in April, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale visited the United States for a multi-day tour, explicitly framing the trip as an effort to engage with “influential opinion makers” and articulate the RSS’s ideological mission to global audiences. As the organization steps into its second century, the formalization of these ties suggests a shift toward more structured, albeit legally visible, engagement with the international community.
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