US Congressman Warns India Over Proposed Foreign Funding Law Changes

Republican Congressman Riley Moore has signaled a potential rift in US-India relations, characterizing New Delhi's proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act as a direct assault on religious freedom. The West Virginia lawmaker specifically alleges the bill grants the government dangerous authority to seize control of Christian institutions.

Editorial·August 5, 2026·reads: 405

US Congressman Warns India Over Proposed Foreign Funding Law Changes

The proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, aims to establish a 'Designated Authority' empowered to manage assets and foreign funds if an organization’s registration is canceled, surrendered, or expires. While the legislation mandates that the religious character of worship sites must be preserved during such interventions, critics like Moore argue the policy creates an opening for state overreach against minority-led groups.

The Modi administration is expected to introduce the bill in the Lok Sabha next week. Currently, the regulatory landscape is vast; government data shows 14,449 active FCRA certificates as of July 15, 2026, with over 22,000 registrations already canceled. The government defends the oversight as a necessary measure for transparency, noting that between 2019 and 2022, registered entities received Rs 55,741 crore in foreign contributions. Beyond the management changes, the bill proposes reducing the maximum prison sentence for violations from five years to one year.