New Delhi Rejects US Lawmaker's Criticism of FCRA Amendment

India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed concerns raised by US Congressman Riley Moore regarding the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal labeled the legislation an internal matter, noting that the United States maintains its own stringent regulatory framework for managing the influx of foreign capital.

Editorial·August 8, 2026·reads: 514

New Delhi Rejects US Lawmaker's Criticism of FCRA Amendment

The diplomatic friction follows a post on X by the West Virginia Republican, who alleged the bill could facilitate government seizures of churches and religious charities. Moore characterized the legislative proposal as a direct strike against Christian institutions, warning that the policy could strain bilateral ties if enacted in its current form. The FCRA governs how non-governmental organizations, educational trusts, and religious bodies receive overseas donations.

Central to the controversy is a provision allowing the government to appoint a "Designated Authority" to manage foreign assets if an organization’s registration is revoked or expires. Data from the Ministry of Home Affairs highlights the scale of the sector: between 2019 and 2022, over 13,500 organizations received more than Rs 55,741 crore in foreign funding. Current government records show 14,449 active registrations, while more than 37,000 others have either been cancelled or allowed to lapse.