US lawmaker says proposed FCRA amendments threaten Christian institutions in India, could affect bilateral ties

US Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, denounced the proposed amendments to India's Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026 on social media, arguing that they pose a threat to Christian institutions in the country. Moore claimed that Christianity has a long history in India, dating back to St. Thomas the Apostle's arrival on the Malabar Coast soon after Jesus Christ's resurrection.

However, he said the bill could enable the government to seize control of churches and religious charities, which he deemed an attack on Christians. Moore stated that if this bill proceeds in its current form, it could be a significant concern in the US-India bilateral relationship. The bill proposes the creation of a 'Designated Authority' to manage foreign contributions and assets once an organization's FCRA registration is cancelled or not renewed in a timely manner.

It also aims to reduce the maximum penalty for violating the Act to one year, down from five years. The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that 13,520 organizations received ₹55,741 crore of foreign contributions between 2019 and 2022. As of July 15, 2026, around 14,449 FCRA certificates are still active, while 22,498 have been cancelled, and 15,212 have expired.

The Mizo National Front, the main opposition party in Mizoram, opposed the proposed amendments and called for MPs to vote against the bill in Parliament, citing concerns that the bill would negatively impact minority institutions, particularly Christians and NGOs.