India labels US criticism of FCRA amendment internal matter

India has firmly rejected criticism from a United States lawmaker regarding proposed amendments to its foreign funding law, stating the matter is an internal legislative affair. The Ministry of External Affairs responded on Friday, August 7, following remarks by Republican Congressman Riley Moore of West Virginia, who warned the changes could strain bilateral relations.

The Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, which was introduced in Parliament earlier this year, seeks to amend the existing Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) of 2010. A central provision would empower the government to appoint a Designated Authority to manage or take control of foreign contributions and related assets if an organization's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or lapsed. The proposed legislation explicitly mandates that if such assets include a place of worship, the authority must preserve its religious character.

In a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday, August 4, Congressman Moore alleged the amendments would "permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities." He described the bill as "a clear attack against Christians" and cautioned it...