India's proposed amendments to the law governing foreign funding for non-governmental organisations have drawn criticism from a US lawmaker, who claimed the changes could affect bilateral ties and amount to an attack on Christians.
US Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, on Tuesday expressed concern over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which governs foreign donations received by NGOs, trusts, educational institutions and religious organisations.
In a post on X, Moore alleged that the proposed changes would allow the Indian government to take over churches and religious charities.
"Christians have been in India since St Thomas the Apostle travelled to the Malabar Coast just decades after the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But despite this long Christian history, India's Parliament is considering amending Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) rules to permit government takeovers of churches and religious charities," he wrote.
Calling the proposal "a clear attack against Christians", Moore said, "If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India."
The remarks came in response to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes to empower the Central government to establish a Designated Authority to take over the management of foreign contributions and assets created using such funds when an organisation's FCRA registration is cancelled, surrendered or lapses due to non-renewal.
The proposed legislation, however, also specifies that where such assets include a place of worship, the Designated Authority must ensure that its religious character is maintained.
The Bill also proposes to reduce the maximum punishment for violations of the Act from five years' imprisonment to one year.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 13,520 organisations received foreign contributions totalling Rs 55,741 crore between 2019 and 2022.
Data available on the FCRA portal shows that, as of July 15, 2026, there were 14,449 active FCRA registrations, while 22,498 registrations had been cancelled and 15,212 had lapsed due to non-renewal.
(With inputs from PTI)
