Regulating foreign funds sovereign step; U.S. has similar laws: India's Ambassador to the U.S. on FCRA
India's Ambassador to the U.S., Vinay Mohan Kwatra, defended recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act as a sovereign measure for transparency. He compared the regulations to similar laws in the U.S. and other nations, dismissing concerns that the law targets civil society.
Why it matters
The debate over FCRA reflects broader geopolitical tensions regarding foreign influence and the regulation of non-governmental organizations.
India's Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan Kwatra has said the amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act were aimed at bringing in more transparency and expected organisations to receive money through a laid-down process.
Parliament Monsoon Session updates on August 10, 2026
In a series of posts on X, Mr. Kwatra on Sunday (August 9, 2026) said regulating foreign financial flows in public and political spaces is a sovereign step driven by national security concerns and cited similar laws enacted by the U.S. for this purpose.
"The U.S. has had FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) since 1938 and FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) since 2010. Australia legislated in 2018, Canada in 2024. The UK's scheme came into force in July 2025. The EU is legislating now,” he said.
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