A US lawmaker has expressed concern over the amendments proposed to India's Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), calling them "a clear attack against Christians" and warning that they could strain bilateral ties between New Delhi and Washington.
US Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, said in a post on X that the proposed amendments 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," Moore wrote.
"This is a clear attack against Christians. If this bill proceeds in this way, it would be a point of major concern in our bilateral relationship with India," he added.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to ensure that foreign contributions received by NGOs are not used in a manner prejudicial to national interests. Among its key provisions, the bill proposes to empower the government to take over the assets of organisations that fail to comply with FCRA registration requirements.
The Centre is expected to introduce the bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The proposed legislation has drawn criticism from several Christian organisations, which argue that some of its provisions could adversely affect charitable institutions that have served poor and vulnerable communities for decades.
Last month, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the government to withdraw the bill and redraft it after wider consultations with stakeholders.
