India is generally viewed positively worldwide, with a median of 46% of adults holding a favourable view of the country. However, views of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are more mixed, with a 37% median expressing confidence in him, while 40% lack confidence, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research centre.
The survey also explores Indians’ perceptions of their country’s power, views of Modi, and attitudes toward other nations. Here are some key findings from the survey conducted between February 20 and May 22, 2023:
PERCEPTIONS OF INDIA’S POWER
Approximately 70% of Indians believe that their country has become more influential recently, in contrast to a median of 28% across 19 other countries that expressed a similar view. Only 13% of Indians think that India’s influence has weakened in recent years.
VIEWS OF PRIME MINISTER MODI
In India, 79% of respondents have a favourable view of Prime Minister Modi, with 55% holding a very favourable view.
Internationally, a median of 37% across 12 countries have confidence in Modi’s ability to make the right foreign policy decisions. Confidence levels vary by country, with Kenyans expressing the highest confidence at 60%, while only 12% of Argentines have confidence in him.
EUROPEAN ATTITUDES TOWARD INDIA
Favourable views of India have declined in European countries over time, with the most significant change observed in France, where only 39% have a favourable view of India compared to 70% in 2008.
VIEWS OF RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES
Indians have a notably favourable view of Russia, with 57% viewing the country positively, and they express the most confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin among all surveyed publics.
The United States is viewed favourably by 65% of Indians.
India stands out for its unfavourable views of China, being the only middle-income country surveyed where a majority holds unfavourable opinions of China.
ATTITUDES TOWARD PAKISTAN
Within India, around 75% of adults hold unfavourable views of Pakistan, with 57% expressing a very unfavourable opinion. Negative perceptions of Pakistan have remained consistent since the question was first asked in 2013.
PUBLIC OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES
In the U.S., substantial percentages of respondents do not offer an opinion on India and Prime Minister Modi, with 40% reporting never having heard of Modi.
DEMOGRAPHIC VARIATIONS
Certain groups, such as men, those with higher education, and younger adults, are more likely to provide responses to questions about India and Modi in several countries.
VIEWS OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (INC) LEADERS
Within India, a significant portion of respondents do not express an opinion of INC leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, with a quarter or more offering no opinion.
