US calls out China & Russia's lobbying; asks think tanks to disclose foreign funding

US Department of State on Tuesday asked think tanks and foreign policy organisations to disclose any funding that y receive from foreign governments especially from China and Russia. In an official statement, Department of State alleged that some governments were seeking to 'exert influence' over US Foreign policy through lobbyists, external experts, and think tanks.

" Department of State maintains close ties with acemic community, think tanks, and various external sources of expertise in foreign affairs to vance interests of United States. We welcome diverse views when doing so. We are mindful, however, that some foreign governments, such as those of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russian Federation, seek to exert influence over U.S. foreign policy through lobbyists, external experts, and think tanks," re official release.

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US Department of State revealed that it was more important than ever for think tanks to disclose ir foreign funds in order to protect 'integrity of civil society institutions'. " Department requests henceforth that think tanks and or foreign policy organizations that wish to eng with Department disclose prominently on ir websites funding y receive from foreign governments, including state-owned or state-operated subsidiary entities," release said.

It, however, ded that such a disclosure was t a 'requirement' of State for engaging with such entities, however, State Department would, in turn, be 'mindful' of such entities.  "Department staff will, however, be mindful of wher disclosure has been me and of specific funding sources that are disclosed when determining wher and how to eng. This policy is distinct from disclosure requirements under Foreign nts Registration Act (FARA), 22 U.S.C. 611 et seq," it said. 

"We hope one day soon that U.S. efforts to promote free and open dialogue about ecomic and personal liberty, equal citizenship, rule of law, and auntic civil society, will be possible in places such as China and Russia," release concluded. 

As per a report from  Center for International Policy, more than $174 million foreign funding was voluntarily disclosed by top think tanks 2014-2018. se included prominent names like  World Resources Institute, Center for Global Development and  Brookings Institution.

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(With ncy Inputs)