India has strongly rebutted the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) following its annual report that criticized the treatment of minorities in India. In a scathing statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi accused the USCIRF of issuing biased, politically motivated assessments and misrepresenting facts.
The MEA expressed concern over the report's claims that religious minorities in India face deteriorating conditions. It particularly objected to the panel’s recommendation of sanctions on India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW, over its alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting ‘Khalistani’ separatists and extremists overseas.
"We have seen the recently released 2025 Annual Report of the USCIRF, which once again continues its pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments," the Indian government said. The MEA questioned the authenticity of the panel’s claims, suggesting that the USCIRF's evaluations were driven by an agenda rather than genuine concern for religious freedom.
India further criticized the USCIRF for distorting isolated incidents to undermine India’s image as a multicultural society. "The USCIRF’s persistent attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast aspersions on India's vibrant multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda," the foreign ministry said. It also emphasized India's pluralistic framework, highlighting that the country is home to 1.4 billion people practicing a wide range of religions, but expressed no expectation that the USCIRF would recognize this harmonious coexistence.
Labeling the USCIRF as "an entity of concern," the Indian government made it clear that such efforts to undermine India’s democracy and tolerance would not succeed. The statement further added that despite the recommendations, it is unlikely that the US government would sanction R&AW, as the USCIRF's views are non-binding.
The USCIRF report also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP propagated "hateful rhetoric" against Muslims and other religious minorities, a claim that India firmly rejected.
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