India Rejects Foreign Remarks on FCRA, Calls It an Internal Legislative Matter

New Delhi: India has firmly responded to comments from foreign countries regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), asserting that the legislation is a sovereign matter to be decided by the Indian Parliament.

Addressing the issue, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said that legislative matters concerning India are its “internal, personal matter” and are determined through parliamentary processes.

Jaiswal also noted that India is not unique in regulating foreign funding. He pointed out that several countries, including the United States, have laws governing foreign contributions and funding, emphasizing that such regulations are common international practice.

The remarks come amid international observations on India's FCRA framework, which governs the receipt and utilization of foreign contributions by associations, NGOs, and other entities. The government has consistently maintained that the law is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance in the use of foreign funds.

India's response underscores its position that domestic legislative decisions should be respected as matters of national sovereignty and constitutional process. Further reactions from foreign governments, if any, are awaited.