Written by New Delhi: India has strongly criticized the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling it an “entity of concern” over its repeated “biased and politically motivated assessments” in its latest annual report. The rebuttal from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came after the USCIRF alleged that religious minorities in India continue to face worsening treatment and called for sanctions on India’s intelligence agency, the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW), over purported “assassination” plots against Khalistani separatists abroad.
Rejecting the allegations, the MEA said, “The USCIRF’s persistent attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast aspersions on India’s vibrant multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than a genuine concern for religious freedom.” It further questioned the authenticity of the commission’s work, accusing it of misrepresenting facts to serve a political narrative.
The latest report from USCIRF recommended that India be designated as a “country of particular concern” for alleged violations of religious freedom. It also urged the US government to impose targeted sanctions on R&AW, citing its alleged involvement in operations against extremist elements overseas.
Responding sharply, India dismissed these claims as baseless and said accusations undermine the country’s standing as a democratic and pluralistic society. “India is home to 1.4 billion people who follow all major religions known to mankind. However, we do not expect that the USCIRF will acknowledge the harmonious coexistence of India’s diverse communities,” the foreign ministry said.
New Delhi also pointed out that the USCIRF has repeatedly shown a pattern of issuing agenda-driven reports, failing to recognize the true nature of India’s religious and cultural diversity. “Such efforts to undermine India’s global reputation will not succeed,” the MEA asserted, doubling down on its call to designate the USCIRF as an “entity of concern.”
Despite the USCIRF’s recommendations, it remains unlikely that the US government will impose sanctions on R&AW, as the panel’s reports are not legally binding. While the commission has accused the Indian government of promoting divisive rhetoric against minorities, India maintains that its policies uphold religious freedom and democratic values.
This latest diplomatic clash adds to the ongoing tensions between India and the USCIRF, with New Delhi repeatedly rejecting what it sees as unwarranted interference in its internal affairs.
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