The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday dismissed criticism from US Congressman Riley Moore over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, stating that lawmaking is an internal matter for India. It also noted that many countries, including the United States, have legal provisions to regulate foreign funding.
The response came after Moore, a Republican representative from West Virginia, claimed that the proposed amendments were a "clear attack against Christians" and cautioned that they could negatively impact India-US relations.
Replying to media queries, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India follows a well-established democratic process for enacting legislation and that domestic laws should be understood in their appropriate context.
He further said that several nations, including the US, regulate foreign contributions to organisations through their own legal systems.
MOORE CLAIMS AMENDMENTS COULD IMPACT CHURCHES
In a statement issued on August 4, Moore alleged that the proposed amendments could allow the Indian government to assume control of churches and religious charities if their Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration was cancelled or not renewed.
He argued that the provisions would have a disproportionate impact on Christian organisations and urged the Indian government to reconsider the Bill.
The proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to revise the existing Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which governs the receipt and use of foreign funds by individuals, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in India.
The FCRA aims to ensure that foreign funding does not compromise the country's sovereignty, integrity, security, public interest or democratic institutions.
Under the proposed changes, if an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or expires without renewal, a government-appointed authority would temporarily oversee its foreign contributions and related assets.
The Bill also states that for places of worship or religious institutions, the designated authority must preserve their religious character while administering such assets.
The Centre has said the proposed amendments are intended to improve transparency, accountability and the proper management of foreign-funded organisations, particularly when they are no longer eligible to receive overseas donations.
GOVT SAYS CHANGES AIM TO PROTECT ASSETS
According to the government, the amendments are meant to safeguard public assets created through foreign contributions while ensuring that charitable activities continue to be administered in accordance with the law.
However, the proposed legislation has triggered political and international debate, with critics raising concerns about the extent of government oversight.
The MEA's remarks mark India's first official response to Moore's criticism, reiterating that legislative decisions fall within the country's domestic jurisdiction and should be evaluated within India's constitutional and legal framework.
