India Rejects USCIRF 2026 Report, MEA Calls It Biased as Commission Recommends Sanctions on RSS and R&AW

India has strongly rejected the 2026 annual report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), triggering a fresh diplomatic row between New Delhi and Washington. The report had recommended targeted sanctions against organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

MEA Calls Report ‘Distorted and Selective’

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp response, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissing the findings as “motivated” and “biased.”

Jaiswal said, “We categorically reject its motivated and biased characterization 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.”

He added that such repeated claims only weaken the credibility of the commission itself.

USCIRF Flags ‘Serious Concerns’

In its report, USCIRF labelled India a “country of particular concern,” alleging that conditions related to religious freedom have worsened. It accused authorities of targeting minorities and raised issues about laws related to religious conversion.

The report also criticised legislations like the Waqf (Amendment) Act and pointed to incidents of communal violence in several states, claiming that minority communities have faced increasing pressure.

Sanctions Recommendation Sparks Tension

A major flashpoint in the report was its recommendation that the United States impose sanctions under the Arms Export Control Act. It suggested linking defence deals and trade ties with India to human rights benchmarks.

The commission also called for restrictions on entities such as the RSS and R&AW, escalating concerns of diplomatic strain.

India Hits Back, Points to US Issues

India responded by urging the commission to focus on issues within the United States instead. The MEA highlighted incidents of attacks on Hindu temples and concerns over the safety of the Indian diaspora.

Jaiswal stated, “USCIRF would do well to reflect on the disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the United States and growing intolerance against members of the Indian diaspora.”

Long-Standing Dispute Continues

This is not the first time India has rejected USCIRF’s findings. New Delhi has consistently opposed the commission’s reports, including criticism over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

In past instances, India has even denied visas to USCIRF delegations, maintaining that the body’s reports are based on selective narratives rather than ground realities.

Officials reiterated that India remains a diverse and pluralistic society of over 1.4 billion people, where multiple religions coexist peacefully. The government has repeatedly asserted that attempts to undermine its democratic image will not succeed.

The latest exchange signals continuing friction on human rights discourse between the two nations, even as broader strategic ties remain intact.