Kumar Bahukhandi
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addresses the media in New Delhi on Friday, August 7, 2026, as India rejected criticism by US Congressman Riley Moore over the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, maintaining that legislation governing foreign contributions is an internal matter for Parliament to decide. Photo Credit: MEA
MEA says Parliament will decide on India’s foreign-funding law; points out that the United States and several other countries also regulate overseas financing
New Delhi: India on Friday, August 7, 2026, pushed back against criticism from a US lawmaker over the proposed changes to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, asserting that legislation governing foreign funding is an internal matter to be decided by the Indian Parliament.
The response came after US Congressman Riley Moore raised concerns over the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, particularly its implications for churches and religious charities receiving foreign contributions.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected the suggestion that an external view should determine India’s legislative course.
“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,” Jaiswal said.
He also pointed to the wider international practice of regulating money originating abroad, noting that several countries — including the United States — maintain their own regulatory mechanisms for foreign funds and financing.
US Congressman Raises Religious-Freedom Concern
Moore, a Republican Congressman from West Virginia, had criticised the proposed legislation, describing it as an attack on Christians and warning that its passage in the present form could become a concern in India-US relations.
His objections centre on provisions dealing with organisations whose FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or ceases following non-renewal.
The criticism, however, represents the position expressed by an individual US legislator and should not automatically be characterised as the official position of the US government.
What the Proposed FCRA Amendment Actually Provides
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, proposes a Designated Authority to supervise and manage foreign contributions and assets created from such funds when an organisation ceases to hold a valid FCRA certificate.
Importantly, the proposal does not simply provide for an unrestricted government takeover of churches. Where an affected asset is wholly or partly a place of worship, the proposed law specifically requires that its religious character be maintained. Government explanations have additionally said that the authority would deal with assets created from foreign contributions rather than indiscriminately taking over all assets belonging to an organisation.
This distinction is important because it places the political criticism and the actual legislative provision side by side, allowing readers to assess both.
Regulation Versus Religious-Freedom Concerns
The controversy highlights the competing arguments surrounding foreign-funding regulation. Critics fear that stronger administrative control could affect the independence of religious and charitable organisations, while the government maintains that regulation is intended to ensure transparency and accountability in the receipt and utilisation of money originating overseas.
The Bill remains a matter for Parliamentary consideration, making the present exchange primarily a debate over proposed legislation rather than a change in law already fully implemented.
