India rebuts US panels report seeking sanctions on R&AW, RSS, flags selective targeting
The USCIRF made these recommendations in its 2026 Annual Report, which reviews developments during 2025.
PTC News Desk: India on Monday firmy rejected the latest report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), calling it biased and motivated.
In response to the report, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have taken note of the latest report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterisation of India. For several years now, USCIRF has persisted in presenting a distorted and selective picture of India, relying on questionable sources and ideological narratives rather than objective facts."
"Such repeated misrepresentations only undermine the credibility of the Commission itself. Instead of persisting with selective criticism of India, USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States, selective targeting of India, and growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention," he added.
The USCIRF made these recommendations in its 2026 Annual Report, which reviews developments during 2025. The report calls on the US government to designate India as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), alleging that it has engaged in and tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of religious freedom.
It also suggests imposing targeted sanctions on specific individuals and entities — including R&AW and the RSS — for their alleged role in or tolerance of serious religious freedom violations. Proposed measures include asset freezes and entry bans to the United States.
Additionally, the commission recommended that future US security assistance and bilateral trade relations with India be tied to improvements in religious freedom conditions.
The report further urges the US Congress to reintroduce and pass the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024, which would mandate annual reporting on alleged acts of transnational repression by the Indian government against religious minorities in the United States.