The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India has dismissed criticism from a U.S. lawmaker regarding the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), stating that such matters are internal to India and decisions are made by its Parliament. The comments came in response to a recent inquiry from a U.S. official, who raised concerns about the regulation’s impact on foreign funding for NGOs.
The MEA emphasized that the FCRA is a domestic legal framework designed to regulate foreign contributions to Indian organizations, ensuring transparency and accountability. It reiterated that the Indian government has the sovereign right to determine its own regulatory policies.
The U.S. lawmaker had previously expressed worries about the law’s potential to restrict legitimate foreign engagement. However, the MEA maintained that the law is in line with international norms and is essential for national security.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between India and the U.S. on issues of regulatory sovereignty and foreign influence. (thehindu.com)
