US seeks clarification over action against Ford Foundation, Greenpeace

Expressing concern over Indian action against the Ford Foundation and Greenpeace India, the US is seeking a clarification from New Delhi for limiting "a necessary and critical debate within Indian society."

"We are aware that the Ministry of Home Affairs suspended the registration of Greenpeace India and has placed the Ford Foundation on a prior permission watch list," State Department spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters Friday in response to a question.

"We remain concerned about the difficulties caused to civil society organizations by the manner in which the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act has been applied," she said

"We are concerned that this recent ruling limits a necessary and critical debate within Indian society, and we are seeking a clarification on this issue with the appropriate Indian authorities," Harf said.

The Indian home ministry had Thursday placed the Ford Foundation, one of the most powerful international funding organisations, on a watch list in "national interest and security" of the country.

Earlier, on April 9 the government announced it has "temporarily" suspended the registration of Greenpeace India under the foreign contributions law for "under-reporting" such funding and conducting transaction of such funds without informing the authorities as required by the law.