The Global Picture: A Mixed Verdict
Before diving into the specific shifts, it's worth noting the overall global sentiment. Across 36 countries surveyed between February and May 2026, opinion on India is almost evenly split: a median of 45% of people hold a favourable view, while 41% have
an unfavourable one. This reveals a world that is engaged but divided on India's role. The most dramatic changes, however, occurred in a handful of countries where perceptions have either notably improved or declined.
1. Sri Lanka: A Surge in Favourability
Sri Lanka now holds the most positive view of India out of all nations surveyed, with favourability jumping a massive 14 points since 2024. A remarkable 79% of Sri Lankans see India in a positive light. This surge is largely attributed to the substantial economic assistance, including credit lines worth over $7.5 billion, that New Delhi provided during Sri Lanka's severe economic crisis in 2022.
2. United Kingdom: A Strong European Supporter
Views in the UK have become significantly warmer, with favourability rising by 11 percentage points since 2025 alone. Around 71% of adults in the UK now view India positively, placing it among India's strongest supporters globally. This reflects deepening ties in trade, culture, and diplomacy between the two Commonwealth nations.
3. Germany: Post-Pandemic Perception Boost
Germany has also seen a notable improvement in its perception of India. Favourable views have climbed 6 percentage points since just last year. Looking at a slightly longer timeframe, the change is even more pronounced: favourability has leaped from just 39% in 2023 to 50% in the latest 2026 survey. This suggests a growing appreciation for India's role as a business and technology partner.
4. Bangladesh: A Sharp Neighbourhood Decline
In a significant downturn, positive views of India in Bangladesh have plummeted by 15 points since 2024. Now, only 42% of Bangladeshis view India favourably, while 51% hold an unfavourable opinion. Reports suggest this strain is linked to recent political upheaval in Bangladesh and India's decision to provide shelter to the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
5. Turkey: The Steepest Drop
Along with Nigeria, Turkey registered the sharpest year-on-year decline in positive sentiment. Favourable views of India fell by 10 percentage points since 2025. A mere 15% of Turks now have a favourable opinion of India, making it one of the most critical countries in the survey.
6. Nigeria: A Puzzling 10-Point Fall
Like Turkey, Nigeria also saw a 10-point drop in favourability towards India since 2025. This is a significant shift, although a majority in the country still viewed India positively in some recent surveys. The reasons for this specific decline are not immediately clear from the survey data but point to shifting dynamics in the India-Africa relationship.
7. United States: A Cooling Relationship
American views of India have taken a cooler turn. Favourability has declined, with 50% of Americans now holding an unfavourable opinion compared to 45% with a favourable one. This is among the lowest ratings since Pew began tracking this data in 2008. The decline has been notable since 2023, when 51% of Americans had a positive view.
8. South Korea: A Fading Positive View
Another significant negative shift comes from South Korea. In 2023, a solid 59% of South Koreans viewed India in a positive light. That figure has since fallen to 44% in 2026, indicating a substantial change in perception. This may reflect growing economic competition or other geopolitical factors in East Asia.
9. South Africa & 10. Mexico: Notable Declines
Both South Africa and Mexico are also on the list of ten countries showing a statistically significant change. Along with the U.S. and Indonesia, they have registered a notable drop in favourable views of India since 2025. While specific percentages for the drop were not detailed as clearly as for others, their inclusion underscores a broader trend of softening views in several key developing nations.
