An official US commission accused ally India of failing to protect Christian and Muslim minorities from violent attacks, prompting a denial Thursday from New Delhi.
The report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom placed India on a watch list over alleged failure to prevent a "disturbing increase in communal violence" in the majority Hindu state.
The annual report, released Wednesday, cited attacks in Orissa against Christians in 2008 and against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002.
"It is extremely disappointing that India, which has a multitude of religious communities, has done so little to protect and bring justice to its religious minorities under siege," said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chairman.