3 weeks ago
India Rejects US Lawmaker's FCRA Criticism as Internal Affair
India makes rules about how charities and other groups inside the country can accept money from other countries.
Right now, the government wants to change some of these rules.
A lawmaker from the United States named Riley Moore is not happy about it.
He said the new rules could let the Indian government take over churches and religious charities.
He called the proposal "a clear attack against Christians."
India's government said that making its own laws is India's business, and India's Parliament will decide.
India also reminded everyone that many countries, including the United States, have rules about foreign money.
If a group loses its permission to receive foreign donations, the new rules would let the government temporarily look after the group's foreign money and related property.
For religious buildings, the government must protect their religious character while doing so.
India says the changes are meant to make things clearer and more accountable, but some people worry about too much government control.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said FCRA legislative matters are India's internal affairs decided by its Parliament.
India noted that several nations, including the United States, regulate the flow of foreign funds.
US Congressman Riley Moore called the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 "a clear attack against Christians" in a post on X.
Moore warned the bill could permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities and become a major concern in India-US ties.
The bill would create a government-appointed Designated Authority to manage foreign contributions and related assets when FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or not renewed.
- Who
- India's Ministry of External Affairs, represented by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, and US Congressman Riley Moore, a first-term Republican from West Virginia.
- What
- India rejected a US lawmaker's criticism of the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, asserting that legislative matters are its internal affairs.
- Where
- New Delhi, where the MEA press briefing took place, and X, the platform where Moore made his comments.
- When
- India's MEA response was reported on Friday, August 7, 2026; Riley Moore posted his criticism on X on August 4, 2026.
- Why
- Moore claimed the bill could permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities, while India said it regulates foreign funds just as other nations, including the United States, do.
India's Position
US Lawmaker and Critics' Concerns
Government oversight of foreign-funded organisations
India's Position
India says the amendments are intended to improve transparency, accountability and the administration of foreign-funded organisations and to protect public assets created through foreign contributions.
US Lawmaker and Critics' Concerns
Moore says the provisions would permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities and constitute "a clear attack against Christians."
Internal affairs vs. bilateral ties
India's Position
India says legislative matters are internal affairs decided by its Parliament, and that several nations, including the United States, regulate the flow of foreign funds.
US Lawmaker and Critics' Concerns
Moore warns that if the bill proceeds in its present form, it would become "a point of major concern" in the bilateral relationship with India.
Impact on NGOs and minority-run organisations
India's Position
The government says the changes are necessary to address evolving financial risks and ensure foreign funding is used only for lawful purposes.
US Lawmaker and Critics' Concerns
Opposition leaders K C Venugopal and Derek O'Brien call the bill "completely unconstitutional" and "draconian," warning of excessive executive control over NGOs, particularly those run by minority communities.
Key facts
- Bill
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Existing Law
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010
- India's Stance
- Legislative matters are internal affairs decided by Parliament; several nations, including the US, regulate foreign funds
- US Critic
- Congressman Riley Moore (Republican, West Virginia, first-term)
- Moore's Claim
- Bill could permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities; "a clear attack against Christians"
- Key Provision
- Designated Authority would manage foreign contributions and related assets if FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or lapsed
- Penalty Change
- Maximum penalty for statutory violations reduced from five years' imprisonment to one year
- Foreign Contributions Data
- 13,520 organisations received Rs 55,741 crore in foreign contributions between 2019 and 2022
Quotes
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
Official spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs
“"We have seen the comments on FCRA. Legislative matters concerning India are our internal affairs on which decisions are taken by the Parliament of the country. I would also like to point out that there are several nations, including the United States, which regulate the flow of foreign funds."”
NDTV
republicworld.com
“"Regarding the issue you are referring to, we have seen it, and several comments have been made on it. As far as legislative matters are concerned, and particularly matters relating to India's own legislation, this is an internal matter for us, on which our Parliament takes the decision."”
deccanchronicle.com
livemint.com
Congressman Riley Moore
United States Representative from West Virginia
“"Christians have been in India since St Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, but despite this long Christian history, India's Parliament is considering amending Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities. Calling the proposal "a clear attack against Christians", Moore said that if the legislation moved forward in its present form, it would be"”
NDTV
“"This is a clear attack against Christians. If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India,"”
deccanchronicle.com
republicworld.com
livemint.com
Sources
"US Regulates Flow Of Foreign Funds Too": India On US Lawmaker's Criticism
Internal Matter: MEA Dismisses Us Lawmaker's Criticism of FCRA Bill
India Rejects US Lawmaker's Remarks on Proposed FCRA Amendment, Cites Internal Sovereignty
'India's internal matter': MEA hits back at US Congressman over FCRA Amendment Bill
‘Even the US’ regulates foreign funding: India hits back at Republic lawmaker's remarks – 'Our Parliament decides'
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