India's US Ambassador Defends Foreign Funding Bill Before Parliament

Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra issued a public defense of the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, countering claims that the legislation targets religious minorities or seeks to shut down lawful civil society. In a series of posts on X, Kwatra characterized the bill as a sovereign measure driven by national security concerns and a step toward greater transparency and governance.

Kwatra debunked several myths regarding the bill, asserting that the law applies uniformly to all organizations regardless of ideology or religion. He specifically addressed concerns over the seizure of assets, explaining that the bill establishes a designated authority to safeguard assets when registrations are cancelled. He noted that properties connected to places of worship are transferred to other registered associations of the same faith to ensure continuity of worship, and assets can be returned if registration is restored.

To argue that India is not an international outlier, Kwatra cited similar foreign agent and funding registration laws in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the European Union. The Government of India is expected to bring the bill for discussion in Parliament on August 12.