A World Divided on India
The latest global attitudes survey from the Pew Research Center, conducted from February to May 2026 across 36 nations, shows that international opinion on India is nearly evenly split. A median of 45% of respondents hold a favorable view of the country,
while 41% express an unfavorable one. This slim four-point margin is tighter than in previous years, suggesting that as India's profile grows, it is becoming a more polarizing nation—one that people feel strongly about, for better or worse.
A Tale of Two Neighborhoods
Nowhere is the contrast in perceptions more stark than in India's own neighborhood. Sri Lanka emerges as the country with the most positive view of India by a significant margin. A remarkable 79% of Sri Lankans see India favorably, a figure that has jumped 14 points since 2024. This surge in goodwill follows India's substantial financial assistance to Sri Lanka during its severe economic crisis. Conversely, Pakistan holds the most negative view, with an overwhelming 91% of respondents expressing an unfavorable opinion, reflecting decades of deep-seated political and military rivalry. In Bangladesh, views are also more negative than positive, with 51% holding an unfavorable opinion.
Support in Africa and the West
Beyond South Asia, India finds considerable support in parts of Africa and Europe. In Kenya and the United Kingdom, roughly seven in ten adults express a favorable view of India. Majorities in several other key countries, including Germany (63%), Japan (55%), and Israel, also view India in a positive light. The strong showing in Israel is underpinned by close strategic ties, with India being a top destination for Israeli arms exports. Views in the United States, however, are more divided and have become less positive over time. In 2026, 45% of Americans view India favorably, a drop from 51% in 2023.
Mixed Views on Leadership and Influence
When it comes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, global confidence is mixed. A 2023 Pew survey found that a median of 40% across 12 countries had no confidence in him regarding world affairs, compared to 37% who did. However, he commands very high approval in certain nations, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Japan. Perceptions of India's growing influence are similarly varied. In the U.S., for instance, a majority (54%) believe India's influence has remained about the same, while only 30% see it as increasing. This differs from the sentiment within India, where most Indians see their country's global stature on the rise.
The Underlying Divides
The survey data reveals that views on India are often shaped by regional politics, economic partnerships, and even domestic political leanings. In the United States and Canada, for example, people on the political left are more likely to view India favorably than those on the right. In other countries, such as Australia, the opposite is true. Furthermore, across half the countries surveyed, men were generally more likely than women to have a positive opinion of India. These nuances highlight that India's global image is not monolithic but a complex tapestry woven from different cultural, political, and demographic threads.
