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Pew’s 36-country survey reveals sharp regional contrasts, with views formed by geography & geopolitics. Some companions are warming to India, whereas others are turning extra important
The most recent Pew survey presents a snapshot of how individuals throughout 36 nations view India and its rising international function. (AFP)
What does the world actually consider India? The reply relies upon closely on the place you ask. From 79 per cent beneficial in Sri Lanka to simply 7 per cent in Pakistan, Pew’s newest survey exhibits a worldwide notion of India that’s something however uniform, with some nations warming to India whilst others flip extra important.
The Spring 2026 World Attitudes Survey, performed amongst 42,092 individuals between February 9 and Might 13, discovered {that a} median 45 per cent of respondents throughout 36 nations had a beneficial view of India, whereas 41 per cent had an unfavourable opinion. One other 10 per cent both didn’t know or declined to reply.
Throughout 36 nations, a median of 45% have a positive view of #India, whereas a median of 41% have an unfavorable view. Opinions diverge dramatically throughout India’s neighboring nations, from 79% favorable in #SriLanka to 7% favorable in #Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/uQuvmDxYok
— Pew Analysis Middle (@pewresearch) August 13, 2026
The numbers reveal putting regional variations and a few notable shifts from earlier surveys.
Sri Lanka Loves India, Pakistan Doesn’t
India’s most beneficial scores come from its rapid neighbourhood, however with a dramatic divide. In Sri Lanka, 79 per cent of these surveyed have a beneficial view of India, whereas simply 11 per cent view it unfavourably. That can also be a big enchancment from 2024, when 65 per cent had a constructive view—a 14-point rise.
On the different excessive is Pakistan, the place simply 7 per cent have a beneficial view of India and 91 per cent have an unfavourable one.
Bangladesh falls someplace in between, however its numbers have deteriorated sharply. Simply 42 per cent of Bangladeshis now view India favourably, in contrast with 51 per cent who’ve an unfavourable view. In 2024, 57 per cent had considered India favourably, which means the constructive ranking has fallen 15 proportion factors.
The distinction is especially putting as a result of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had a lot greater beneficial scores when Pew final surveyed them.
India Stays In style In UK, Europe
The UK is among the many nations with probably the most constructive views of India.
71 per cent of Britons surveyed have a beneficial opinion of India, in contrast with 24 per cent who view it unfavourably. The beneficial share has risen 11 factors since 2025, from 60 per cent to 71 per cent.
India additionally will get majority-favourable scores in a number of main European nations:
• Germany: 63 per cent beneficial, 29 per cent unfavourable
• Italy: 56 per cent beneficial, 35 per cent unfavourable
• Sweden: 55 per cent beneficial, 38 per cent unfavourable
• France: 50 per cent beneficial, 34 per cent unfavourable
• Netherlands: 49 per cent beneficial, 31 per cent unfavourable
Germany’s beneficial ranking has risen six factors since 2025, whereas France’s has remained unchanged at 50 per cent. In contrast with 2023, nonetheless, Germany has seen a a lot greater improve; from 47 per cent beneficial then to 63 per cent now.
Not each European nation is constructive. In Spain, 37 per cent have a beneficial view in contrast with 41 per cent unfavourable. Poland is at 37 per cent beneficial and 25 per cent unfavourable, however a big 38 per cent didn’t provide an opinion.
America: India’s Picture Has Weakened
The US presents a extra difficult image.
Solely 45 per cent of People now have a beneficial view of India, whereas 50 per cent have an unfavourable view. Pew says these are among the many lowest scores recorded because it started asking People about India in 2008.
The beneficial share has fallen from 51 per cent in 2023 to 45 per cent in 2026, though the decline has not been uniform throughout demographic teams.
Amongst People aged 18-29, simply 42 per cent view India favourably whereas 56 per cent view it unfavourably. Amongst these aged 65 and above, the numbers are reversed: 50 per cent beneficial and 43 per cent unfavourable.
There’s additionally a partisan divide.
50 per cent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have a beneficial view of India, in contrast with 42 per cent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Pew additionally discovered an ideological divide: 54 per cent of American liberals view India positively, in contrast with 40 per cent of conservatives.
What Do People Suppose About India’s World Affect?
The survey additionally requested People how they assess India’s affect on the planet.
A majority, 54 per cent, mentioned India’s international affect has remained about the identical in recent times. Nevertheless, 30 per cent consider India’s affect is getting stronger, whereas 13 per cent assume it’s changing into weaker.
So, whereas America’s general view of India has turn into extra adverse, this doesn’t essentially translate right into a notion that India’s international affect is declining.
Asia-Pacific: Blended Image
Outdoors South Asia, India’s picture can also be removed from uniform.
India receives beneficial scores from:
• Japan: 55 per cent
• Thailand: 55 per cent
• Singapore: 51 per cent
• Indonesia: 50 per cent
• Philippines: 49 per cent
However in South Korea, solely 44 per cent have a beneficial view, in contrast with 47 per cent unfavourable. Australia can also be extra adverse: 44 per cent beneficial versus 55 per cent unfavourable. Malaysia information 41 per cent beneficial and 58 per cent unfavourable. South Korea is notable for its longer-term shift. Its beneficial ranking has fallen from 59 per cent in 2023 to 44 per cent in 2026.
Africa: India Nonetheless Has Sturdy Assist In Some International locations
India’s picture stays notably sturdy in elements of Africa.
In Kenya, 71 per cent have a beneficial view of India, in contrast with 25 per cent unfavourable. Ghana is at 50 per cent beneficial and 36 per cent unfavourable, whereas Nigeria information 47 per cent beneficial and 39 per cent unfavourable.
However there are indicators of a decline in some nations. Nigeria’s beneficial ranking has fallen 10 factors since 2025, from 57 per cent to 47 per cent. South Africa has additionally seen an eight-point decline, from 46 per cent to 38 per cent.
Center East: Israel Optimistic, Turkey Detrimental
India’s picture additionally varies sharply throughout the Center East. In Israel, 60 per cent have a beneficial view of India, in contrast with 29 per cent unfavourable. However the image may be very totally different in Turkey, the place simply 15 per cent have a beneficial view and 72 per cent have an unfavourable opinion. Within the West Financial institution and East Jerusalem, solely 18 per cent view India favourably, whereas 56 per cent view it unfavourably.
There’s additionally a political-ideological divide in Israel. Whereas 46 per cent of Israelis on the ideological left view India favourably, that determine rises to 68 per cent amongst these on the appropriate.
Latin America Leans Detrimental
India’s picture is much less beneficial throughout the Latin American nations surveyed. Solely 37 per cent in Brazil have a beneficial view, in contrast with 41 per cent unfavourable. In Colombia, the break up is 36 per cent beneficial versus 41 per cent unfavourable. Mexico information 30 per cent beneficial and 44 per cent unfavourable, whereas Peru is at 29 per cent beneficial and 39 per cent unfavourable.
Chile and Argentina are much more adverse: simply 25 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, have beneficial views of India.
Pew notes that giant shares in lots of European and Latin American nations don’t provide an opinion. Total, European views are inclined to lean extra constructive, whereas Latin American views lean extra adverse.
Is India’s World Picture Getting Worse?
Not precisely. Pew says that in most nations, opinions of India have remained comparatively steady for the reason that earlier survey. Nevertheless, among the many 10 nations the place statistically important modifications had been recorded, scores fell in seven.
The largest latest declines had been in Turkey and Nigeria, each down 10 factors since 2025. India additionally recorded declines within the US, Indonesia, South Africa and Mexico.
On the identical time, India has gained favour in a number of nations. The UK’s beneficial ranking rose 11 factors, Germany’s six factors and Sri Lanka’s 14 factors since their earlier surveys.
This makes the general image much less one in all a uniformly declining international picture and extra one in all diverging perceptions relying on geography and, in some nations, political identification.
The 36-country median—45 per cent beneficial towards 41 per cent unfavourable—stays narrowly constructive. However the wide selection, from 79 per cent beneficial in Sri Lanka to 7 per cent in Pakistan, exhibits how sharply India’s worldwide picture varies throughout areas and political contexts.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18India’s picture in several nations is influenced by geography and geopolitics, resulting in diverse perceptions globally. Some nations have gotten extra beneficial in direction of India, whereas others are rising extra important.
Ask News18In regards to the Creator
Apoorva Misra is a Information Editor at News18.com with a eager curiosity in politics and present affairs. She loves uncovering contemporary angles and telling tales via long-form options and explainers. Foll…Learn Extra
August 14, 2026, 08:08 IST
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