The Ministry of External Affairs isn’t letting this one slide quietly. On Thursday, the MEA pushed back against criticism from US Congressman Riley Moore over India’s proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, making clear that how India legislates is India’s own business — and pointing out that plenty of countries, the United States very much included, have their own rules governing foreign funding. The response comes days after Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, described the proposed amendments as a “clear attack against Christians” and warned they could strain India-US relations if they go through as written.
Fielding questions from reporters, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s democratic institutions run on an established legislative process, and that domestic laws need to be understood within their proper context rather than judged from outside. He added that countries around the world, the US among them, already regulate how foreign contributions flow into organizations through their own legal frameworks — the implicit point being that India doing the same shouldn’t be treated as unusual.
What Moore Actually Said
Moore’s criticism came in a statement released August 4. He alleged the proposed amendments could let the Indian government effectively assume control of churches and religious charities if their FCRA registration gets cancelled or simply isn’t renewed. His argument was that this would land disproportionately on Christian organizations specifically, and he urged the Indian government to reconsider the legislation before it goes further. In a post on X around the same time, Moore went further still, invoking the long history of Christianity in India dating back to St. Thomas the Apostle’s arrival on the Malabar Coast and calling the bill “a clear attack against Christians” that could become “a point of major concern” in the bilateral relationship if it proceeds.
What the Bill Actually Proposes
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to amend the existing FCRA, 2010 — the law that governs how individuals, associations, and NGOs in India can accept and use foreign contributions. The stated purpose has always been to make sure foreign funding doesn’t end up undermining India’s sovereignty, integrity, national security, public interest, or democratic institutions.
Here’s the part actually at the center of the controversy: under the proposed amendments, if an organization’s FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered, or not renewed, a government-designated authority would step in to temporarily manage its foreign contributions and related assets. Crucially, the Bill specifically addresses places of worship and religious institutions — it requires that the designated authority preserve their religious character while administering those assets, rather than altering or taking over the institution itself. The Centre frames the whole exercise as being about transparency, accountability, and better administration of foreign-funded organizations, particularly once they’re no longer eligible to receive money from abroad.
Also Read:Reconciliation On The Cards ? Vijay’s Wife Withdraws Divorce Case
The government has also positioned the changes as protective aimed at safeguarding public assets that were built using foreign contributions, while making sure any ongoing charitable work can keep running within the bounds of the law. That framing hasn’t stopped the Bill from becoming a genuine flashpoint, both politically at home and now internationally, with critics questioning just how much oversight the government is really asking for here. Thursday’s MEA statement marks India’s first official response to Moore specifically, and it leans on a familiar line: legislative decisions are domestic policy, and they should be evaluated within India’s own constitutional and legal framework — not someone else’s.
‘Govt Had No Role To Play In Hasina’s Media Event’
The MEA also used Thursday’s briefing to distance the government from an August 5 media interaction involving former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, making clear New Delhi had nothing to do with organizing it and doesn’t stand behind anything said during it. “The government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity, and it does not endorse anything said at the forum, especially with regard to the duly constituted government of Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said, responding to questions about the interaction.
On Foreign Secretary Misri’s Sri Lanka Visit
Jaiswal also gave an update on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s recent trip to Sri Lanka, describing a full slate of high-level meetings. “As part of the visit, he had interactions at the highest level. He called on the President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He also had meetings with the Foreign Minister and his counterpart, the Foreign Secretary of Sri Lanka, where they discussed a wide range of issues,” he said, noting that development cooperation came up too — both ongoing programs and newer ones launched in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
Bi-Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (August 07, 2026)
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) August 7, 2026
https://t.co/rT0CbgPosI
The fishermen issue, a perennial sticking point between the two countries, also made it onto the agenda. “The fishermen issue also came up for discussion. Once again, we urge that this particular matter be given a humanitarian approach because the livelihood of fishermen is involved. We have pressed that the issues we have raised for the welfare of our fishermen should be given due consideration, keeping in mind their livelihood concerns and humanitarian considerations,” Jaiswal said.
On Somalia-Pakistan Defence Pact and Other Global Developments
Asked about Somalia and Pakistan signing a defence cooperation pact, Jaiswal kept his answer characteristically brief: “We continue to closely follow the developments between Somalia and the other country that you mentioned. That is what I have to say.”
He struck a warmer tone on Africa Day, calling it a significant occasion for India. “Yes, this was a big celebration. Each year, we celebrate our solidarity, support, and partnership with Africa with great enthusiasm. This time, the External Affairs Minister attended the Africa Day celebrations,” he said.
On a separate trilateral defence agreement this one between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan — Jaiswal offered a similarly watchful, non-committal response: “This is also a development that we are closely following, and we shall keep you updated.”