New Group 'RSS Friends' Registers as Foreign Agent with US Department of Justice

Overview of the Registration

A newly established organization named 'RSS Friends' has officially registered with the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) as a foreign agent to represent the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the United States. According to reports citing filing documents, the registration took place on August 27.

The filing lists an address in the state of Georgia for the group and designates the RSS headquarters at Keshav Kunj in New Delhi as its foreign principal.

Stated Objectives and Operations

According to the filed details, the organization's stated purpose is to address and correct misunderstandings regarding the RSS, which it claims are spread by individuals with political motives. This reportedly involves responding to or correcting information deemed inaccurate, incomplete, or taken out of context.

The group stated that it does not have a written employment or lobbying contract with the RSS involving financial compensation or other direct material benefits. However, the filing acknowledges that the absence of a written contract does not preclude an operational relationship, coordination, instructions, or other practical engagements between the group and the RSS.

Regarding its outreach, the organization indicated it may interact with the general public, journalists, media outlets, researchers, academic and policy institutions, community leaders, civil society, and government agency officials when necessary.

Timing and Context

The registration under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) occurred shortly before RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's scheduled address in New York, which took place on August 29.

Background on US Lobbying Claims

While the RSS has historically maintained that it does not engage in lobbying activities within the United States, previous media reports have drawn public attention to the topic. For instance, a report from November 2025 by the news outlet Prism alleged that a lobbying firm, Patton Boggs, had been hired on behalf of the RSS to facilitate introductions with US officials. At the time, the RSS rejected the report, maintaining that it had not hired any lobbying firm. Meanwhile, the lobbying firm indicated that its contract concluded on September 30, 2025.

How to Verify

Interested individuals and researchers can independently verify the registration details by searching public filings on the United States Department of Justice FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) eFile system using the organization's name or registration date.