Politics & Policy

Officials from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have formally requested that the American government impose sanctions on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). USCIRF Chair Asif Mahmood characterized the organization as an umbrella group whose sub-groups have perpetrated attacks on religious minorities, while noting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a member of the RSS. Its Timing The advisory body also urged the U.S. government to refrain from extending diplomatic courtesies or holding high-level meetings with RSS leaders during their upcoming visits to the United States. This directive coincides with scheduled travel by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat to the United Kingdom, Canada, and the U.S., creating a potential diplomatic friction point ahead of his arrival in America. As an independent bipartisan federal commission, USCIRF monitors global religious freedom conditions and issues policy recommendations to the U.S. government. However, these recommendations remain advisory and do not carry binding authority over official foreign policy decisions, leaving the ultimate response to the discretion of U.S. officials