'Continuing its biased pattern': India rejects US religious freedom report
What's the story
India has rejected the 2025 report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which said minorities in India are facing worsening treatment.
Reaction to the report, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said USCIRF should be branded an "entity of concern."
"We have seen the...report...which once again continues its pattern of issuing biased, politically motivated assessments," the MEA said, adding efforts to tarnish India's image as a beacon of democracy and tolerance would not succeed.
MEA response
MEA spokesperson criticizes USCIRF's report
The ministry also said that USCIRF's repeated attempts to misrepresent isolated incidents and cast doubts on India's multicultural society speak of a deliberate agenda, rather than genuine concern for religious freedom.
India is home to 1.4 billion people who are adherents to all religions known to mankind, he said.
"However, we have no expectation that USCIRF will engage with the reality of India's pluralistic framework or acknowledge the harmonious coexistence of its diverse communities," he added.
Report details
USCIRF's report highlights rise in attacks against minorities
The 2025 USCIRF report noted a rise in attacks and discrimination against religious minorities in India.
It accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of propagating "hateful rhetoric" against Muslims and other religious minorities during the Lok Sabha election campaign.
The report further proposed sanctions against India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) over its alleged role in murder plots against Sikh separatists, likely referring to the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun case.
Tensions rise
USCIRF also criticizes Vietnam for regulating religious affairs
The USCIRF also recommended that the Donald Trump administration designate India as a "country of particular concern" for violations of religious freedom.
Aside from India, the USCIRF report has criticized Vietnam for allegedly ramping up efforts to regulate and control religious affairs.
The panel recommended that Vietnam, which, like India, is viewed by Washington as a counter to China's rising influence in Asia and elsewhere, be designated as a "country of particular concern."