New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has, in its 2026 Annual report, criticised India on the issue of religious freedom and recommended that the US State Department designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC).
India on Monday reacted strongly to the report and slammed the USCIRF for presenting a 'distorted and selective picture' of India, categorically rejecting it as 'motivated and biased.'
'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,' the External Affairs Ministry said here.
A spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said in response to questions that 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.’’
The spokesman said that 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, the selective targeting of India, and the growing intolerance and intimidation of members of the Indian diaspora in the United States, which merit serious attention.
This marks the seventh consecutive year the commission has made this recommendation, citing what it describes as a "deterioration" of religious freedom conditions throughout 2025.
The report highlights several areas of concern regarding religious freedom in India during 2025.
UNI RB 2041