MEA's riposte to US lawmaker's foreign funding remarks: 'Our internal affairs'

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly objected to remarks made by US Congressman Riley Moorey regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Moorey claimed that the proposed amendments would allow the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities, which he described as a "clear attack against Christians."

In response, an MEA spokesperson stated that legislative matters concerning India are internal affairs decided by the country's Parliament. The MEA spokesperson also pointed out that many nations, including the US, regulate foreign funds. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, aims to overhaul the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) framework, giving the government the power to appoint a designated authority to manage or sell assets created from foreign funds by NGOs whose FCRA registration has been revoked or not renewed.

The bill also restricts the scope of action against those associated with such organizations and requires organizations to choose from a predefined list of purposes. Moorey, a Republican from West Virginia, expressed concern over the proposed amendments, stating that they would have a major impact on India's relationship with the US.

The bill's introduction in March has sparked debate, with some groups, including Christian organizations, raising concerns over the potential impact on religious communities.