India-Italy relations analyst and adviser Carlo Lombardi has vocally defended the government's proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), emphasizing that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often serve as instruments of foreign policy. Lombardi stated that governments have a legitimate right to understand how foreign funds are being utilized within their borders.
"NGOs do a lot of good work for humanity, but they are also an instrument of foreign policy. This is not a secret," Lombardi told news agency ANI, highlighting the dual nature of such organizations.
Historical Context of India's FCRA
Lombardi pointed out that India's framework for regulating foreign contributions is not a recent development. The initial FCRA was enacted by Parliament in 1976 during the tenure of then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The legislation underwent a significant overhaul in 2010 under the Manmohan Singh government, with Lombardi noting that the original law was "actually harsher in the day."
Global Precedents and Foreign Influence
The analyst underscored how advancements in technology and financial channels have made foreign influence easier to exert. He cited similar foreign funding and foreign-agent regulations in several Western nations, arguing that India's FCRA is part of a broader, well-established global pattern.
- United States: The US enacted the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in 1938, primarily to counter covert German influence. Lombardi noted that FARA requires registration and disclosure, carrying a potential five-year sentence for violations—a measure he described as "much harsher than the current Indian bill."
- Australia: Australia operates a Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme.
- United Kingdom: The UK has a Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.
The NED and CIA Connection
Lombardi specifically referenced the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), established in the US in 1983. He quoted NED co-founder Allen Weinstein, who famously stated in 1991:
"Much of what the NED, National Endowment for Democracy, does today, the CIA did covertly 25 years earlier."This quote serves to illustrate his point about the strategic role foreign funding bodies can play.
Ensuring Accountability and Preventing Misuse
A core argument from Lombardi is the necessity for governments to ensure that foreign funding is used precisely for its stated purpose. He provided an example: "For example, money coming in for educational purposes, and then the NGO uses it for protests against the government, driving a political agenda under the umbrella of charitable, non-profit goodwill organisations." This highlights concerns over funds being diverted for political activism rather than the intended charitable or developmental work.
Bill Sent to Joint Parliamentary Committee
The proposed FCRA bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further examination. The committee is tasked with submitting its report to the Lok Sabha by the final day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament in 2026. This move allows for detailed scrutiny and debate on the legislation.
Political Reactions and Allegations
The legislation has met with opposition from various groups, including certain Christian organizations. A US senator reportedly voiced concerns that the bill targets Christians in India. Congress MP KC Venugopal echoed these sentiments, asserting that the bill is "clearly for targeting minorities and NGOs" and demanding its withdrawal.
However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju rejected these accusations. He countered that the Congress and other opposition parties had themselves requested the bill be sent to a House committee. Rijiju affirmed, "If they have any reservations about the Bill, they can speak in the JPC. This is not targeted at any minority community," reassuring that the process allows for all concerns to be addressed.