MEA dismisses U.S. lawmaker’s criticism of FCRA
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has rejected criticism from U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore regarding proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act. The government maintains that regulating foreign funding is a sovereign internal matter, similar to practices in the United States.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions regarding India's legislative oversight of foreign-funded NGOs and religious institutions.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday (August 7, 2026) dismissed criticism surrounding India’s foreign funding regulations, asserting that legislative affairs remain an internal prerogative governed by Parliament.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said these matters are our affairs on which decisions are taken by the Parliament of the country.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Jaiswal said, “I would also like to point out that there are several nations, including the United States, which regulate the flow of foreign funds.”
He was responding to comments by a U.S. lawmaker on the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill.
The response comes following remarks from U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore, who raised objections to proposed modifications to India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), claiming the provisions could enable state control over churches and philanthropic institutions, while cautioning that the development might strain bilateral ties.
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