From Pakistan's overwhelming hostility to Sri Lanka's strong endorsement and an increasingly divided United States, a new Pew Research Center survey paints a complex picture of India's global standing. Conducted between February and May 2026 across 36 countries with over 42,000 respondents, the survey shows that international perceptions of India are no longer uniformly positive. Released ahead of India's 80th Independence Day, the findings reveal a world where admiration for India's economic rise and strategic influence increasingly coexists with scepticism shaped by regional politics, bilateral history, and domestic policy debates.
A Snapshot of India's Global Image
The survey finds that a median 45% of respondents hold a favourable view of India, while 41% view the country unfavourably—a narrow four-point margin.
Compared to previous years, when India enjoyed a much wider lead in global favourability, the latest results suggest its international image has become more contested. While India continues to possess significant soft-power appeal, its reputation now varies sharply across different regions.
Asia and Africa Drive Positive Perceptions
Among the standout findings:
· Sri Lanka: 79% favourable, the highest rating globally.
· Kenya: 71% favourable.
· Japan: 55% favourable.
· Thailand: 55% favourable.
· Singapore: 51% favourable.
Sri Lanka's exceptional support reflects India's assistance during Colombo's economic crisis, while positive views in East and Southeast Asia mirror growing strategic cooperation.
However, neighbouring countries present a more mixed picture. Bangladesh (42%), Malaysia (41%), and Australia (44%) display more balanced or slightly negative opinions, indicating that proximity alone does not guarantee favourable perceptions.
Western Democracies Show Greater Ambivalence
Europe and Latin America emerge as regions where India's image is more uncertain. Favourability often hovers around or below the global median, while relatively high "don't know" responses suggest that India occupies a less defined place in public opinion compared to major Western powers.
The most striking shift appears in the United States.
American opinion is now almost evenly divided, with 45% viewing India favourably and 50% unfavourably. The numbers also reveal a fluctuating trend—from 51% favourable in 2023, falling to 43% in 2024, recovering to 49% in 2025, and settling at 45% in 2026.
Despite this cooling sentiment, India remains one of the few countries whose public continues to view the United States more positively than China, underscoring a nuanced relationship where strategic partnership does not automatically translate into stronger public approval.
Pakistan Remains the Sharpest Outlier
If Sri Lanka represents India's strongest endorsement, Pakistan remains its starkest rejection.
Only 7% of Pakistanis express a favourable opinion of India, while 91% hold unfavourable views, with nearly three-fourths describing their perception as "very unfavourable." The survey also shows that both Indians and Pakistanis overwhelmingly identify each other as their principal geopolitical threat, reflecting deeply entrenched mistrust.
A More Competitive Soft-Power Landscape
The Pew findings suggest India is entering a new phase of global diplomacy where influence cannot rely solely on economic growth or strategic partnerships. Strong goodwill across parts of Asia and Africa provides valuable diplomatic capital, but growing scepticism in the US and segments of Europe highlights the need for sharper public diplomacy, greater policy communication, and sustained international engagement. As India's global role expands, managing perceptions may become as strategically important as expanding influence itself.
(With agency inputs)
