What Shapes Global Views of India?
A recent Pew survey found that 45 percent of respondents in 36 countries held a favorable view of India, while another 41 percent held a negative view. But the results varied widely by country.
The Pew Research Center recently released a survey of public opinion on India across 36 countries, revealing mixed results. A median of 45 percent of individuals polled had a favorable view of India, while 41 percent had an unfavorable view. However, opinions varied greatly across countries, influenced by a complex interplay of geopolitics, people-to-people relationships, and ideological preferences.
In Britain, for example, 71 percent of respondents held a favorable view of India, one of the highest worldwide. This high rate of favorability is rooted in the long-standing and deep relationship between the two nations, with centuries of shared history, familiarization with Indian culture and arts, and Indian-origin individuals who have integrated well into British society, even holding high-ranking positions like the prime minister.
European countries generally had favorable views of India, with Germany (63 percent), Italy (55 percent), and France (50 percent) among the most positive. These nations generally share ideological and political affinities with India, viewing it as a fellow democracy and Western-adjacent ally in the face of China and Islamic extremism. Germany, in particular, has a philosophical and intellectual affinity for India dating back to the 19th century.
Countries with significant Indian populations, such as Japan (55 percent) and Israel (60 percent), also reported strong favorable views of India. These ties are the result of long-standing geopolitical relationships and shared values.
In contrast, opinions toward India were more mixed in its neighboring regions, Spanish-speaking countries, and the Islamic world. This complexity is further evidenced by the fact that the Arab world, which generally supports the Palestinian cause and rejects Israel's recognition, has an unfavorable view of India (72 percent) due to its close relationship with Israel.
On the other hand, Muslim-majority Indonesia shows a relatively favorable view of India (50 percent favorable, 47 percent unfavorable), likely due to their shared history and leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement. Similarly, Bangladesh, despite recent tensions, has a majority of its population (51 percent) viewing India favorably, reflecting a history of close ties, a large Hindu minority, and India's role in Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.
Written by urgent.news from The Diplomat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
