NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — The Indian government has strongly rejected a recommendation by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom. The response came on Monday after the commission released its 2026 annual report, which assessed global religious freedom conditions during 2025 and called for possible sanctions on key Indian entities.
The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the report as biased and misleading. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government “categorically rejects” the findings. He accused the commission of presenting a “distorted and selective picture” of India. He added that the report relies on “questionable sources” and ideological narratives instead of objective facts. Jaiswal said repeated criticism from the commission undermines its credibility. He urged the body to focus instead on issues within the United States, including attacks on Hindu temples and concerns raised by the Indian diaspora.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom report recommends that the U.S. government classify India as a Country of Particular Concern, or CPC. This designation applies to countries accused of severe violations of religious freedom.
The report claims that religious freedom conditions in India worsened in 2025. It alleges that the government engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations. The commission also pointed to new laws and policies that it says target religious minorities. It highlighted efforts by several Indian states to strengthen anti-conversion laws, including stricter penalties.
The report goes further by recommending targeted sanctions. It names India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing, and the influential Hindu focused organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
The commission alleges that these entities bear responsibility for or tolerate violations of religious freedom. It suggests measures such as freezing assets and restricting entry into the United States. The recommendations also include linking future U.S. security assistance and trade relations with India to improvements in religious freedom conditions.
The report calls on the United States Congress to revive the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024. This proposed law would require annual reporting on alleged acts of repression targeting religious minorities abroad, including in the United States. The commission claims such measures would increase accountability and transparency in addressing cross-border concerns.
India has repeatedly rejected similar findings from the commission in past years. Officials argue that the reports fail to reflect the country’s diverse and democratic framework.
Jaiswal emphasized that India remains committed to protecting the rights of all its citizens. He said selective criticism ignores the broader social and legal context. He also pointed to incidents in the United States involving attacks on Hindu places of worship. He suggested that these issues deserve equal attention from the commission.
