Who is Keith Schiller, ex-Trump aide hired as lobbyist by Pakistan amid tensions with India

Both India and Pakistan have hired former insiders from Donald Trump’s political orbit as lobbyists in Washington, DC.

Updated on: May 28, 2025, 04:50:33 IST

By HT News Desk

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As tensions escalated between India and Pakistan after the deadly Pahalgam attack and India’s retaliatory military strike under Operation Sindoor, both nations decided to take an unconventional route to influence global policy.

Keith Schiller is Donald Trump's longtime bodyguard and former Director of Oval Office Operations. (X - @SethAbramson)

For this purpose, both India and Pakistan have hired former insiders from Donald Trump’s political orbit as lobbyists in Washington, DC.

India has enlisted Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, to represent its interests in the US capital. Miller's firm, SHW Partners LLC, will receive $1.8 million annually to provide strategic counsel, tactical planning, and government relations assistance.

“This is not a new practice. This has been in place for several decades and under successive governments since the 1950s. These firms have been regularly engaged by the Embassy as per the requirements of the situation. All such engagements are available in the public domain," said Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs, at a press briefing on Thursday.

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On the other hand, Pakistan hired Keith Schiller, Trump's longtime bodyguard and former Director of Oval Office Operations.

Who is Keith Schiller?

A former New York Police Department detective, Schiller became a part of Trump's inner circle and became one of the US president's most loyal aides.

From running security at Trump Tower to accompanying Trump to the White House as Director of Oval Office Operations, Schiller spent nearly two decades as a trusted confidant and enforcer. Some insiders often describe him as Trump's “shadow.”

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Schiller partnered with Georges Sorel, a former compliance chief at the Trump Organization, the duo has launched Javelin Advisors, a firm tasked with helping Pakistan navigate US policymaking channels.

This comes days after Trump, on May 10, made a surprise announcement of an India-Pakistan ceasefire and claimed that the US played a role in brokering the understanding, a claim rejected by India.

The US President also offered to mediate the long-contentious Kashmir issue, which India swiftly rejected.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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