India has rejected objections raised by a US lawmaker over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, asserting that decisions concerning the country’s legislation are matters of its internal affairs and are taken through Parliament.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a media briefing in New Delhi while responding to a question on the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill and concerns expressed in the United States.
Jaiswal said India’s legislative processes are a sovereign matter and that Parliament is the appropriate forum for considering and deciding on such legislation. He also pointed out that India is not unique in regulating foreign funding and noted that several countries, including the United States, have systems governing the flow and use of foreign contributions.
The proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act have drawn attention because of their implications for organisations receiving funds from overseas. The government has maintained that regulations concerning foreign contributions are intended to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with national laws.
India’s response also comes against the backdrop of broader discussions over foreign funding and its regulation across democratic countries. New Delhi has consistently maintained that foreign contributions must operate within the legal and regulatory framework established by the country.
During the briefing, Jaiswal also addressed concerns over the safety and security of Indian vessels and seafarers, particularly in view of the evolving security situation in the Gulf region and international waterways.
He said the safety and security of Indian nationals working in the maritime sector remains a high priority for the government. Indian Missions across the Gulf region are maintaining constant contact with the Ministry of Shipping as well as maritime authorities in the respective countries.
The government has also put in place round-the-clock helplines to ensure that Indian seafarers, vessel operators and other persons requiring assistance can seek support.
Jaiswal reiterated India’s call for safe and unimpeded navigation through international waterways and stressed the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commercial shipping. India, he said, has urged all concerned parties to exercise restraint and refrain from targeting civilian infrastructure, civilian vessels and seafarers.
The statement assumes significance as disruptions or security threats in strategically important maritime routes can have wider implications for international trade and energy supplies. India, with a large number of its citizens employed in the global maritime sector and heavily dependent on international shipping routes for trade, has a direct interest in maintaining freedom of navigation.
New Delhi has therefore continued to advocate adherence to international norms governing maritime navigation and the protection of civilian shipping.
The External Affairs Ministry also responded to questions regarding recent defence and security cooperation involving Pakistan.
Asked about the reported defence pact between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Jaiswal said India was closely following the development. He did not offer a detailed assessment of the agreement but indicated that New Delhi was monitoring its implications.
The spokesperson also said India was closely following the recent defence pact between Pakistan and Somalia.
The developments come at a time when Pakistan has been seeking to deepen defence and strategic partnerships with several countries. For India, such agreements are significant from a regional security perspective, particularly when they involve countries located in strategically important regions.
New Delhi’s approach, however, appears to be one of careful observation rather than immediate public assessment. By closely monitoring these developments, India is seeking to assess their potential implications for its security interests and the wider regional strategic environment.
Overall, the External Affairs Ministry’s briefing underlined three key aspects of India’s foreign policy approach: its insistence on sovereign decision-making in domestic legislative matters, its priority for the safety of Indian citizens and maritime commerce, and its close monitoring of emerging defence partnerships involving Pakistan.
Leave Your Comment