Washington: A coalition of Indian Government officials, business groups and influential Indian-Americans has quietly launched an extensive lobbying campaign here to counter allegations that the country was taking an unfair number of high-end US jobs, a media report said today (November 13).

India is paying several high-priced Washington lobbying and law firms to craft a campaign extolling the benefits to the US of closer economic ties with India, the 'Wall Street Journal' reported.

Washington-based law firm Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld will collect $ 600,000 annually "to advise India and work the halls of the Congress", according to Justice Department records. Former House Speaker Tom Foley, former diplomats and lawmakers at the firm will run the campaign.

The Indian Embassy also has an annual $ 240,000 tie-up with well-known international advisor Edwardvon Kloberg, who represents several Eastern European companies, the report said.

India's National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), representing 850 international companies, has hired Hill & Knowlton, an influential public relations and lobbying firm. NASSCOM paid the company $ 100,000 for the first six months of this year.

PTI