India's Foreign Funding Law: A Test of Sovereignty and Secularism The recent spat between India and the United States over proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) highlights the delicate balance between a nation's sovereignty and its commitment to secularism.
The Ministry of External Affairs' dismissal of US lawmaker Riley Moore's criticism as an "internal matter" is understandable, but it raises questions about India's willingness to engage with concerns from abroad that stem from genuine fears for the future of religious minorities.
The FCRA amendments have been criticized for giving the government sweeping powers to take over foreign funded assets, including places of worship.