Internal Matter: MEA Dismisses Us Lawmaker's Criticism of FCRA Bill
The response comes following remarks from US 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
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday rejected foreign criticism of India's proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment (FCRA) Bill saying the issue is an internal matter on which Parliament will take a decision. MEA spokesperson Mr Randhir Jaiswal underlined that several countries, including the United States of America, regulate foreign funding and financing and India is well within its right to check money coming from abroad.
His response came following criticism by US Congressman Riley Moore who said the proposed changes to the FCRA amounted to "a clear attack against Christians" and urged India not to proceed with the legislation in its current form.
In a post on X, Mr Moore, the Republican Congressman from West Virginia, said, “Christians have been in India since St. Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But despite this long Christian history, India’s Parliament is considering amending FCRA rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities. This is a clear attack against Christians. If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India.”
“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. I would also like to tell you that there are several countries in the world, including the United States, that regulate foreign funds and foreign financing," Mr Jaiswal said on Friday.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 proposes the creation of a designated authority to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created using such funds if an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or lapses after not being renewed. It specifies that where such assets include a place of worship, the designated authority must ensure its religious character is preserved.