Global Response
People in most nations of the G20 have a favorable view of India, according to a Pew survey published on Aug 29, 2023. The survey of over 30,000 people across 24 countries, conducted between February and May this year by the Pew Research Centre, shows that India is viewed favorably with a 46% median, while only 34% look at India unfavorably.
Views of India are most positive in Israel, where 71% say they have a favorable view of the country. PM Modi has personally invested a lot in building the India and Israel relationship. Today both nations are part of the I2U2 – a partnership among India, Israel, the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates. India is also the top destination for Israeli arms exports.
India has been a true champion of Global South, providing voice to the developing world, especially to African countries. This reflects in especially favorably image of India in African nations, like in Kenya 64% and 60% in Nigeria view India favorably. In addition, over 25% have a very favorable view of India in these countries. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape truly dubbed Indian PM Modi as “the leader of Global South”.
In the United Kingdom too at least six-in-ten say they have a favorable view of India. Similarly majority in US and Canada view India favorably. While in European nations the response is generally favorable with exception of few like Netherlands, Spain and Greece.
In Australia and USA people across political spectrum have favorable view of India. In Australia 49% leftist and 62% rightist view India favorably. In USA, 57% liberals hold favorable view of India as compared to 47% of conservatives. This debunks the orchestrated narrative that India is becoming authoritarian and its image do not bide well with liberals in west.
In countries like Mexico (+18) and Nigeria (+15) there is huge spike in favorable view for India and decline in unfavorable views in 2023 as compared to 2007 and 2015.
African countries like Kenya and Nigeria also have faith in PM Modi to do the right thing regarding world affairs with 60% and 47% respectively having confidence in PM Modi in these countries, the only exception is South Africa.
While major Asian nations have a more balanced view on confidence in PM Modi to do the right thing regarding world affairs. In Indonesia, Japan and South Korea confidence in Modi has remained largely unchanged since 2015. Notably, the share who does not offer an opinion on Modi has declined in all three countries. The difference is greatest in South Korea, where 16% now do not provide a response, compared with 34% in 2015.
Within India
Within India PM Modi remains most popular leader. About eight-in-ten in India have a favorable view of PM Modi, including 55% who have a very favorable view. Only a fifth of Indians have an unfavorable opinion of Modi.
Almost seven-in-ten feel that India is growing in influence in the world. Even among those who do not support BJP (the ruling party) 60% feel the growing stature of India in global fora. Both men and women in India believe that India is getting stronger on the world stage (71% vs. 65%, respectively).
Indian’s view of other countries getting stronger on world stage shows positive views for U.S. (49%) compared to average of other 19 countries surveyed (32%), while having unfavorable view regarding China (38% favored compared to 66% average of other countries). But what stands out is that Indians are most bullish about India’s growth story (68%) as compared to all other countries.
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