Now Reading: Indian envoy defends FCRA Bill, says US has similar laws
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Indian envoy defends FCRA Bill, says US has similar laws
India’s ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has issued a 'Myth vs Reality' defence of the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, amid criticism from a US lawmaker and sections of civil…
The Story in Brief
India’s ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has issued a 'Myth vs Reality' defence of the proposed FCRA Amendment Bill, 2026, amid criticism from a US lawmaker and sections of civil society. He said the bill aims to improve transparency and is common in democracies, pointing to US laws like FARA and FATCA. Kwatra rejected claims that the law targets a particular religion or would shut down law-abiding NGOs, noting foreign contributions rose from $1.2 billion in 2010, 11 to $2.67 billion in 2024, 25.
Kwatra said an asset-seizure provision is not new, it has existed since 2010, and that the 2026 bill adds a 'Designated Authority' to safeguard assets and a mechanism to return them if registration is restored. Places of worship get separate protection, he added. The bill does not prohibit foreign donations but requires registration, receipt via prescribed channels and reporting of usage.
The Indian Opinion
The ‘foreign funding crackdown’ narrative misses the forest for the trees. Kwatra’s data shows foreign inflows have doubled since 2010, not stopped. The real test is not what the law says on paper but how the Designated Authority uses its power to seize assets. Watch whether the number of FCRA registrations rises or falls after 2026, that single number will settle the debate between transparency and control.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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