3 weeks ago
India rejects US criticism of FCRA bill as internal affair
India has a law called the FCRA that controls how groups in India can receive money from other countries.
The Indian government wants to change this law.
Some lawmakers in the United States are worried about the changes.
They think the new rules could hurt churches and charities that help people.
One lawmaker said the changes might be an attack against Christians.
India said changing its own laws is an internal matter for its Parliament to decide.
India also pointed out that other countries, including the United States, have rules about foreign money.
The proposed bill was introduced in India's Parliament in March.
The US lawmakers said this issue is very important for the friendship between the two countries.
India on Friday rejected criticism by US lawmakers over proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), calling the legislative matter an internal affair.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that several nations, including the United States, regulate the flow of foreign funds.
Senator James Risch and other Democratic and Republican lawmakers voiced concerns that the changes could adversely impact Christian organisations and other civil society groups.
Congressman Riley Moore alleged the amendments would 'permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities' and called it 'a clear attack against Christians.'
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, provides a framework for managing foreign contributions through a 'designated authority.'
- Who
- India's external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, and US lawmakers including Senator James Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Riley Moore
- What
- India rejected criticism by US lawmakers of proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), describing the legislative matter as an internal affair
- Where
- New Delhi
- When
- August 7 (Friday); the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25
- Why
- India says legislative matters are internal affairs decided by its Parliament and notes other nations, including the US, also regulate foreign funds, while US lawmakers feared the changes could adversely impact Christian organisations and civil society groups
US lawmakers' concerns
India's position
Impact on religious groups
US lawmakers' concerns
Congressman Riley Moore alleged the amendments would 'permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities' and constitute 'a clear attack against Christians.'
India's position
India says the FCRA does not forbid foreign charity but requires registration, channelling through a designated account and reporting — the same compliance logic used in company law, banking regulation and political-party funding.
Impact on civil society
US lawmakers' concerns
Senator James Risch described the proposed changes as 'deeply concerning' and warned that restrictions on foreign funding could create difficulties for legitimate civil society organisations.
India's position
India argues democratic accountability requires transparency in foreign funding, and covert financing of advocacy or political activity by foreign states is treated as a national-security issue across the democratic world.
Sovereignty and bilateral relations
US lawmakers' concerns
Riley Moore said that if the bill proceeds in this way, 'it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India.'
India's position
India says legislative matters concerning India are internal affairs on which decisions are taken by Parliament, and points out that several nations, including the US, regulate the flow of foreign funds.
Key facts
- Legislation
- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026
- Bill introduced
- Lok Sabha, March 25
- Key provision
- Comprehensive framework for vesting, supervision, management and disposal of foreign contributions and assets through a 'designated authority'
- Statement by
- Randhir Jaiswal, external affairs ministry spokesperson, at his bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi
- US critics
- Senator James Risch (Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman), Congressman Riley Moore and other Democratic and Republican lawmakers
- US concern
- Possible adverse impact on Christian organisations and civil society groups; 'a clear attack against Christians'
- US law cited by India
- Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) 1938
- Related context
- US secretary of state Marco Rubio's visit to the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in May was seen as a diplomatic message on the proposed law
Quotes
U.S. lawmaker Riley M. Moore
Member of U.S. House of Representatives
“The FCRA amendment is a “clear attack against Christians”. If the bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“The proposed changes are “deeply concerning”. Restrictions on foreign funding could create difficulties for legitimate civil society organisations.”
telegraphindia.com
External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs
“We have seen the comments. Legislative matters concerning India are our internal affair on which decisions are taken by Parliament. I would also like to point out that there are several nations, including the US, which regulate the flow of foreign funds.”
telegraphindia.com
“"We have seen the comments (critical of the proposed changes). Legislative matters concerning India are our internal affairs, on which decisions are taken by the Parliament of our country,"”
theprint.in
Sources
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