India terms US report on religious freedom ‘illusive” – says report based on misinformation and flawed understanding

India has rejected the religious freedom report, issued by the US State Department, termed as biased. The report criticized India for alleged attacks on minorities.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken released the 2022 International Religious Freedom Report during an event in Washington. However, Blinken’s official speech did not mention India. In his address, the US Secretary of State named China, Iran, Myanmar and Nicaragua.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said such reports continue to be based on “misinformation and flawed understanding”. US has released this report at a time when PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit US within a month.

Bagchi said, “We are aware of the release of the US State Department 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom. Regrettably, such reports continue to be based on misinformation and flawed understanding.”

Responding to media queries on the report Bagchi said, “Motivated and biased commentary by some US officials only serves to undermine further the credibility of these reports.”

The annual report listed alleged attacks on religious minorities in India and expressed concerns over such incidents. The report that documents the status of religious freedom in countries across the world was released on Monday.

A senior US official said far too many governments, including Russia, India, China and Saudi Arabia, continue to freely target faith community members.

Blinken said, “The report provides a fact-based, comprehensive view of the state of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world.”