India has strongly dismissed a U.S. government report alleging deteriorating religious freedoms in the country, calling it a “misrepresentation” aimed at tarnishing its global reputation.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded sharply to the annual report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which recommended designating India as a “country of particular concern” and imposing sanctions on its intelligence agency, R&AW.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected the USCIRF findings, stating that the report selectively highlights isolated incidents while ignoring India’s pluralistic ethos. “The USCIRF’s persistent attempts to misrepresent India’s multicultural society reflect a deliberate agenda rather than genuine concern for religious freedom,” he said. “India, with its 1.4 billion people representing all major religions, thrives on harmonious coexistence. We have no expectation that USCIRF will acknowledge this reality.”

The USCIRF report, released on March 25, alleged rising discrimination and violence against religious minorities in 2024, citing hate speech, anti-conversion laws, and policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). It also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of propagating “hateful rhetoric” against Muslims during the 2024 election campaign, referencing Modi’s past remarks labeling Muslims as “infiltrators.”

The report further recommended sanctions against R&AW over alleged involvement in assassination plots targeting Sikh separatists abroad—a claim India has repeatedly denied. The issue has strained U.S.- India relations since 2023, particularly after the U.S. charged an ex-Indian intelligence officer in a foiled assassination plot. India maintains that Sikh separatists pose security threats but denies extrajudicial actions.

Analysts note that while USCIRF’s recommendations are non-binding, the report adds to the growing scrutiny of India’s human rights record. However, Washington’s strategic focus on countering China’s influence in Asia makes punitive action unlikely.

Rights groups have flagged concerns over India’s revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy, mosque demolitions, and laws critics say marginalize Muslims. The Modi government denies discrimination, pointing to welfare schemes benefiting all communities.

The USCIRF also criticized Vietnam for tightening control over religious groups, recommending similar “country of particular concern” status. Vietnam’s new decree allows authorities to demand financial records from religious organizations and suspend activities for vaguely defined violations.

New Delhi has long dismissed USCIRF reports as “deeply biased,” asserting that India’s constitutional safeguards ensure equality for all faiths. The MEA’s rebuttal underscores its stance that external assessments overlook ground realities of interfaith harmony.

Following a nerve-wracking IPL 2025 encounter between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), a post-match chat between LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka and newly appointed captain Rishabh Pant sparked renewed attention, especially as it aired live on television. While the conversation appeared cordial, it reminded fans of a past controversial interaction between Goenka and former captain KL Rahul, which ultimately preceded Rahul’s release from the franchise.

In the high-profile mega auction, LSG secured Rishabh Pant for a record Rs 27 crore and handed him the captaincy. However, his debut as LSG skipper did not go as planned. Pant failed to score in his six-ball stay at the crease and made questionable decisions while defending in the final overs against DC. Notably, he gave the penultimate over to debutant Prince Yadav, who conceded 16 runs, instead of using seasoned bowler Shardul Thakur. The final over, bowled by Shahbaz Ahmed, was sealed with a six by Ashutosh Sharma, sealing a memorable win for Delhi.

Gavaskar reacts to Pant-Goenka exchange

Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating during the match, weighed in on Goenka’s televised interaction with Pant and offered his perspective on Pant’s performance and captaincy.

“I think he knows,” Gavaskar said, referring to Pant’s self-awareness of his errors. “He actually mentioned in the post-match interview that you often learn more from your mistakes than from your successes… This is just the first match, and there are 13 more to go. Rishabh Pant is an intelligent cricketer, and he will have picked up valuable insights regarding his batting and captaincy.”

Gavaskar added that scoring runs helps boost a captain’s confidence when making tactical decisions. “Once he gets some runs under his belt, I expect his captaincy to become even more assured,” he said.

Praise for Ashutosh Sharma’s match-winning knock

Gavaskar was also effusive in his praise for Ashutosh Sharma, whose unbeaten 66 off 31 balls was key to DC’s last-over win. He called the finish “fabulous” and said it exemplified what makes the IPL so thrilling.

“These last-over thrillers, these breath-taking finishes—that’s what I call BOLD: Breath-taking, Outstanding, Lightning, and Devastating,” Gavaskar said, praising both Ashutosh and the drama of IPL cricket.

Indian football fans can eagerly anticipate the return of Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team in an exhibition match scheduled for October 2025 in Kerala. This event marks a significant moment, as it comes 14 years after Messi first visited the country.

Last November, the Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced that Argentina would be visiting the southern state to play two friendly matches in Kochi. This announcement has generated excitement among local fans who hope to see one of the world’s greatest footballers on their home turf.

On Wednesday, HSBC India officially announced its partnership with the Argentine team to promote football in the country and confirmed the timing for the exhibition match. A press release from HSBC India stated, “Under this partnership, the Argentina national football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit India for an international exhibition match in October 2025.”

Furthermore, the partnership between the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and HSBC includes a one-year agreement focused on India and Singapore, targeting the competitive season of 2025 as preparation for the final qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup. This collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and growth of football in the region and provide fans with exciting experiences.

Lionel Messi’s first visit to India was in September 2011, when he played in a World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela in Kolkata. Argentina secured a 1-0 victory at Salt Lake Stadium during that match, which remains a memorable moment for Indian football enthusiasts.

Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, commented on the partnership: “As we join forces with one of the most revered teams in the world of football, we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for fans and customers alike, while supporting the Argentine team in their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.”

Claudio Fabian Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, also expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting its potential for expansion and new opportunities in India and Singapore. He stated, “We welcome HSBC as the new partner of the Argentina National Team.”