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USCIRF recommends India as a 'Country of Particular Concern'
The bipartisan body placed India among a list of 18 countries featuring the likes of China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Thu, 05, Mar 2026
- 00:04 EST
- 18
USCIRF logo / Facebook/USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended to the U.S. administration to label India as a 'Country of Particular Concern', citing growing instances of mob violence against minority communities.
The USCIRF is a federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad.
ALSO READ: USCIRF criticises India over expulsion of Rohingya Muslims
In its Annual report 2026, published on March 4, USCIRF sent its policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and U.S. Congress to advance freedom of religion or belief in other countries. In its latest report, the bipartisan body placed India among a list of 18 countries featuring the likes of China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, apart from India.
The Indian Government has previously rejected USCIRF reports on multiple occasions, labeling the reports as "biased and politically motivated."
In 2025, The Ministry of External Affairs rejected USCIRF's Annual report and accused USCIRF of having a "deliberate agenda rather than a genuine concern for religious freedom."
USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler highlighted the key concerns of his report and said, "China arrests underground church members, mob violence is on the rise in India and Pakistan leading to attacks on religious minorities and the destruction of their homes, Burma’s military bombs houses of worship, and Tajikistan denies parents the right to teach their children about faith."
Hartzler continued, "As USCIRF’s Annual Report shows, far too many people in key nations are denied religious freedom through unjust laws, discrimination, harassment, violence, and even crimes against humanity. The U.S. government must continue to advance religious freedom abroad to make a difference for those facing religious persecution."
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