Is India's global influence ascending? The answer varies depending on the perspective

A recent study by Pew Research Center has unveiled the perspectives of Indian adults on their country's global influence and leadership. The findings reveal that a significant majority of 79% of Indian adults have confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the right decisions regarding world affairs. This level of trust is notably higher than the global median of 37% across 12 countries.

Additionally, 68% of Indian adults believe that India's influence in the world has grown. In contrast, only a median of 28% across 19 other countries share this view. These findings reflect a positive sentiment among Indians towards their country's global standing and leadership.

Global perceptions of India

The Pew survey also examined global perceptions of India and found that most countries have a favorable view of India. A median of 46% of adults across 23 countries expressed favorable views of India, while 34% held unfavorable opinions.

Notably, Israel stands out as the country with the highest positive ratings for India. In contrast, there has been a dip in favorability ratings for India in several countries, particularly in Europe. For example, while 70% of adults in France had positive views of India in 2008, only 39% held the same opinion in 2023.

ALSO READ: Unraveling Constitutional threads: Supreme Court delves into Article 370 abrogation debate

Perceptions of world leaders and countries

The survey also assessed global attitudes toward world leaders and countries. It revealed that Indians view certain countries and leaders differently from the global perspective.

-United States: India stands out as a country with a favorable view of the United States. While the global median favorability rating for the U.S. is 59%, 65% of Indian adults view the U.S. positively.

-Russia: In contrast to the global median of just 14% of adults with a favorable view of Russia, 57% of Indians have a positive opinion of the country. Additionally, 59% of Indian adults express confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin.

-China: India's view of China differs significantly from the global perspective. While the global median indicates that 66% of adults see China's influence as having grown, only 38% of Indians hold this view. Furthermore, 67% of Indian adults express unfavorable opinions of China, with 50% having a "very unfavorable" view.

-Pakistan: Pakistan remains the least favored country among Indians, with 73% expressing unfavorable views. Party affiliations in India also play a role in these perceptions, as 81% of those supporting the ruling parties tend to hold negative sentiments toward Pakistan.

ALSO READ: Indian Enforcement Directorate scandal: Official arrested in multi-crore bribery scheme

The Pew Research Center's study provides valuable insights into how Indian adults perceive their country's global influence, leadership, and the views of other nations. It highlights the Indian public's confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and their belief in India's growing global influence. Additionally, the study reveals that India's favorable views of certain countries, including the United States and Russia, differ significantly from global opinions. These findings offer a comprehensive understanding of India's position on the world stage and the perceptions of its citizens.