In a firm rebuttal, India on Monday categorically rejected the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) 2026 annual report, labeling it as prejudiced and motivated by ulterior motives. The Ministry of External Affairs took swift aim at the document’s portrayal of religious freedoms in the country.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to queries, said the report’s assertions about India are ‘completely biased and driven by preconceptions.’ He pointed out USCIRF’s pattern over multiple years of misrepresenting facts through cherry-picked data and ideological leanings.
‘India thrives as a dynamic, multi-faith society where communities coexist peacefully,’ Jaiswal noted. He criticized the commission for fostering doubts about the nation, which he described as more reflective of an agenda than authentic worry.
Turning the tables, Jaiswal advised USCIRF to prioritize domestic issues like the surge in vandalism against Hindu temples in America, coupled with harassment of Indian-origin individuals. ‘These are grave matters that require immediate and thorough examination,’ he asserted.
India has consistently objected to USCIRF’s methodologies in the past, accusing it of political maneuvering. With a population of 1.4 billion embracing global religions, the country prides itself on inter-community harmony—a legacy the report allegedly seeks to undermine.
This latest clash highlights broader diplomatic frictions. As New Delhi defends its record, it challenges Washington-based watchdogs to apply consistent standards. The ministry affirmed that attempts to blemish India’s global standing through flawed reports will not succeed.