RSS Support Group Files US Foreign Agent Registration Ahead of New York Event

RSS Friends, a US‑based support group for India’s Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, filed a Foreign Agents Registration Act form with the US Justice Department on Aug 27. The filing lists a Georgia address as the group’s location and names the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in New Delhi as the organization it represents. The group says its aim is to expand outreach in the United States and to correct information it considers inaccurate or incomplete. It notes there is no written contract with the RSS for specific deliverables or payment, but it does not rule out informal coordination. Proposed activities include publishing information, educational and community events, public‑relations work and engagement with journalists, researchers, policy institutes, community leaders and, when appropriate, government officials. The filing describes the RSS as an unincorporated volunteer and socio‑cultural body based in India. Board members of RSS Friends are Rajendra Sonarikar, Jayant Pant and Devananda Gaddam. The registration was submitted two days before RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Universal Oneness Celebration at Madison Square Garden on Aug 29, an event organized by the AHEAD Forum.

Context

Groups that act on behalf of foreign interests must disclose their activities under US law. Filing under FARA makes the relationship public and allows authorities to monitor any influence efforts.