The Indian government is preparing to introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha next week. This proposed legislation aims to reform existing regulatory frameworks governing foreign donations received by non-governmental organizations, trusts, educational institutions, and religious charities across the country. However, the legislative initiative has met with criticism from the United States, where US Representative Riley Moore has openly expressed concerns regarding its potential consequences for diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Washington.
Riley Moore, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives from West Virginia, publicly voiced his opposition to the proposed measures on Tuesday. Taking to social media platform X, the lawmaker, who belongs to Donald Trump's Republican Party, cautioned that the draft amendments could empower the Indian government to assume administrative oversight over churches and Christian religious charities. He characterized the proposed regulatory changes as a direct threat to the Christian community in India and asserted that passing the bill in its current form would create significant friction in bilateral relations.
Concerns Over Religious Freedom and Historical Context
Highlighting the historical roots of Christianity in India, Representative Riley Moore noted that Saint Thomas reached the Malabar coast just a few decades following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, establishing a long-standing Christian presence in the country. Moore argued that despite this centuries-old heritage, the Indian Parliament is considering legislative steps that could allow government authority over the management of church properties and religious charitable institutions.
Expressing firm disapproval of the proposed provisions, Moore wrote on X, "If this bill moves forward in this form, it will be a major area of concern in our bilateral relationship with India." He maintained that subjecting foreign funded religious organizations to government oversight risks impairing the operational autonomy of religious charities operating within the nation.
Key Provisions of the FCRA Amendment Bill 2026
Under the provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the central government proposes to create a specialized Designated Authority. This entity will be empowered to take over the administration of foreign contributions and assets acquired through foreign funding in instances where an organization's FCRA registration is cancelled, voluntarily surrendered, or allowed to expire without renewal.
The bill explicitly incorporates safeguards regarding places of worship, stipulating that if any asset managed by the Designated Authority encompasses a place of worship, its religious character must be preserved without alteration under all circumstances. Additionally, the draft legislation seeks to modify penal provisions by reducing the maximum prison term for FCRA violations from 5 years to 1 year.
Official Data on Foreign Funding and Active Registrations
Official data published by the Ministry of Home Affairs underlines the significant volume of foreign capital flowing into Indian entities. Between the years 2019 and 2022, a total of 13,520 organizations across India received aggregate foreign contributions amounting to ₹55,741 crore. The government asserts that strict oversight is necessary to ensure complete financial transparency regarding these foreign inflows.
Furthermore, records from the FCRA portal as of 15 July 2026 provide an overview of regulatory compliance across the country. On that date, there were 14,449 active FCRA registrations. In contrast, 22,498 registrations had been cancelled, while 15,212 registrations had expired without renewal.
Upcoming Parliamentary Process and Diplomatic Context
With the central government scheduled to table the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha next week, parliamentary debate on foreign funding compliance is set to intensify. While Indian policymakers emphasize that enhanced oversight is crucial to prevent misuse of foreign funds, statements from US lawmakers like Riley Moore suggest that FCRA regulations will continue to attract scrutiny in high-level international dialogues.
