The MEA has dismissed a USCIRF report claiming diminished religious freedoms in India, asserting it aims to tarnish India’s reputation. The report urges the US to classify India as a “country of particular concern”, while Jaiswal highlights India’s religious diversity and skepticism towards USCIRF’s agenda. Recommendations for sanctions against India’s RAW are noted, but unlikely to be enacted due to strategic relations between the US and India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has officially rejected a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) which claimed that religious freedoms in India are deteriorating. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that the report is an attempt to tarnish India’s global reputation. The USCIRF’s annual report suggested an increase in discrimination and violence against religious minorities in India for the year 2024.

The USCIRF urged the United States government to classify India as a “country of particular concern” regarding religious freedom, which could potentially result in diplomatic and economic repercussions for India. In a press briefing, Jaiswal described the USCIRF as an “entity of concern” for misrepresenting isolated incidents and undermining India’s multicultural society.

Jaiswal highlighted that India has a population of 1.4 billion, representing various major religions. He expressed skepticism about the USCIRF recognizing the reality of India’s pluralistic fabric and the peaceful coexistence of its diverse communities. Furthermore, the USCIRF recommended targeted sanctions on India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), citing alleged assassination plots against Khalistani separatists.

Notably, the commission acknowledged that the United States has identified India as a strategic counterbalance to China, making it improbable for the US government to enforce these recommendations, as they are not legally binding.

In summary, the MEA of India has firmly rejected the USCIRF’s report on declining religious freedoms, characterizing it as an attempt to damage India’s global standing. The ministry highlighted India’s diversity and commitment to pluralism while expressing concern regarding the USCIRF’s misrepresentation of facts. The possible sanctions against India’s intelligence agency further complicate US-India relations, despite the strategic partnership in counterbalancing China.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com

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