'US Regulates Flow Of Foreign Funds Too': MEA Hits Back At US Congressman Over FCRA Remarks

The Centre on Friday dismissed criticism from a US lawmaker regarding the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), asserting that the legislation falls entirely within India's domestic jurisdiction.

Responding to the controversy, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said legislative decisions are made by the Indian Parliament and emphasised that several countries, including the United States, have laws regulating the inflow of foreign funds.

The response came after US Congressman Riley Moore expressed concerns over the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026. In a post on social media, Moore claimed that certain provisions of the legislation could pave the way for government intervention in the administration of churches and religious organisations operating in India.

The Republican lawmaker, who represents West Virginia in the US House of Representatives, described the proposal as an attack on Christians and cautioned that the matter could have implications for relations between New Delhi and Washington if the bill were passed in its present form.

The FCRA regulates the receipt and utilisation of foreign donations by various organisations, including charities, educational institutions, trusts, non-governmental organisations and religious bodies.

Among the proposed changes, one of the most debated provisions would empower the central government to appoint a designated authority to manage foreign contributions and assets created through such funds if an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or allowed to lapse.

The government has not indicated any change in its position and has maintained that the proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the regulatory framework governing foreign contributions in the country.