FCRA AMENDMENT AND THE INFLUENCE OF FOREIGN ACTORS IN INDIA

In September 2020, the Government of India introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Prior to this, the government had revoked the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) licenses of over 15,000 NGOs due to alleged misuse of foreign funding channels or non-disclosure of financial details.

This move significantly restricted the financial inflows to various entities that had previously operated with substantial foreign funding, particularly before 2014. By 2022, it became evident that the Indian government remained resolute in preventing foreign influence and subversion within the country.

International Response and the Role of Pact.org

In response, organizations such as Pact.org, Transparency International, and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) convened the 20th International Conference Against Corruption. The discussions at this conference highlighted concerns that Indian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were allegedly being stifled due to stringent government regulations, which, according to critics, hindered their ability to operate in a free and fair environment.

Key Sponsors and Participants

The conference was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and Transparency International, a well-known think tank often associated with shaping global democratic narratives. Notably, this conference was the 20th in a series, with previous editions featuring influential figures:

10th edition (2001): Headlined by George Soros.
11th edition (2003): Featured Aruna Roy as a key speaker.
13th edition: Led by Irene Khan, then Secretary-General of Amnesty International.
14th edition (2010): Included Salil Shetty (now affiliated with George Soros’ Open Society Foundation and participant in the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi), Secretary-General of Amnesty International, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Arvind Ganesan of Human Rights Watch.
17th edition (2016): Featured Salil Shetty and Sanjay Pradhan, CEO of Open Government Partnerships (an entity funded by USAID and the U.S. State Department, which also finances the V-Dem Institute—responsible for classifying India as an ‘Electoral Autocracy’ for five consecutive years).
19th edition: Included Sanjay Pradhan and Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
20th edition (2022): Attended by Sanjay Pradhan, Disha Ravi (arrested in connection with the Greta Thunberg Farmers’ Protest Toolkit), Samantha Power (USAID Administrator), U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Paul Radu from OCCRP. Notably, a significant portion of the sessions was organized by USAID.

Connection to Indian Protests and Unrest.

Viewed against the backdrop of anti-CAA protests, farmers' protests, Republic Day riots in Delhi, and other disruptive activities, the participation of individuals and organizations known for their anti-India stance raises pertinent questions. Why would a U.S.-backed forum invite individuals facing legal action in India for activities deemed harmful to national sovereignty?

The Strategic Influence of Soft Power.

The underlying message appears clear: these international forums, think tanks, and nonprofits serve as instruments of geopolitical leverage. By controlling narratives and funding key players, they exert influence on national policies and governance.

The Broader Ecosystem of Foreign Influence

Examining the ecosystem surrounding Transparency International, OCCRP, and the International Anti-Corruption Conference, four major actors emerge:

The U.S. Department of State
USAID
The National Endowment for Democracy (often referred to as a ‘mini CIA’)
Pact.org (also known as a ‘mini USAID’)

George Soros’ Open Society Foundation alone has funneled over $4 million into Transparency International, ensuring significant control over its agenda and influence.

USAID’s Controversial Funding Decisions.

In 2021, USAID’s own inspectors flagged its financial support for a nonprofit organization, Helping Hands for Relief and Development (HHRD), which was identified by U.S. senators as having connections to terrorist organizations in the Middle East and South Asia, particularly Pakistan. Despite being under investigation, USAID continued to fund HHRD, disbursing an additional $200,000 in 2023 alone.

Conclusion

The persistence of USAID in funding questionable organizations raises concerns about the real objectives behind such financial allocations. The interplay between foreign government agencies, international think tanks, and NGOs demonstrates the extensive reach of soft power mechanisms that shape narratives and influence policies in India and beyond.