- MEA asserts FCRA Bill is India's internal legislative matter.
- Rejects US lawmaker's 'attack on Christians' comments.
- India regulates foreign funds, similar to other nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday firmly responded to comments made by a US lawmaker on the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill, asserting that legislative matters concerning India are strictly its internal affairs.
Addressing the issue during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Parliament alone has the authority to decide on such legislation and rejected any external commentary on the proposed amendments.
#WATCH | Delhi: Responding to comments by a US lawmaker on the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have seen the comments on FCRA. Legislative matters concerning India are our internal affairs on which… pic.twitter.com/l3i52nrEuS
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2026
"We have seen the comments on FCRA. Legislative matters concerning India are our internal affairs on which decisions are taken by the Parliament of the country," ANI quoted Jaiswa.
He also pointed out that India is not alone in regulating foreign funding, noting that several countries, including the United States, have laws governing the flow of foreign funds.
"I would also like to point out that there are several nations, including the United States, which regulate the flow of foreign funds," he added.
MEA's comments follow US Congressman's remarks criticising the proposed FCRA amendment Bill, stating that it could enable the Indian Government to take over churches and religious charities and that this could eventually affect India-US relations.
What Did The US Congressman Say?
The lawmaker on Tuesday expressed worries about the proposed amendments to Indian Laws on acceptance of foreign contributions by NGOs, trusts, and educational institutions. US Congressman Riley Moore said the amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) would permit the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities and would amount to "a clear attack against Christians".
"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 Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities," Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, said in a post on X.
"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," said Moore, a first-term Congressman.
What Is FCRA?
The FCRA bill aims to tighten foreign funding regulations, increase transparency, and strengthen national security. It includes stricter registration, audit, reporting, and asset-related provisions for NGOs and related organisations. The Centre is expected to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in Parliament.