India & Pakistan: Pew Global Attributes Report

[Minimalist]

The Report: http://pewglobal.org/files/2010/10/Pew-Global-Attitudes-India-Report-FINAL-October-20-2010.pdf

Released: October 20, 2010

America’s Image Remains Strong

Indians See Threat From Pakistan, Extremist Groups

Overview

When President Barack Obama travels to India next month, he will visit a country in which both he and the nation he leads are broadly popular. More than seven-in-ten Indians have confidence in the American president and about two-thirds express a favorable opinion of the United States. Indians are also feeling positive about their own country’s role in world affairs and they are optimistic about its economic future.

India has enjoyed impressive economic growth in recent years, and today nearly six-in-ten Indians (57&#37 say their nation’s economy is in good shape. Among the 22 publics included in the spring 2010 Pew Global Attitudes survey, only the Chinese and Brazilians are more satisfied with their economic situation. Still, Indians believe their country faces a number of major challenges, including crime and corruption. And nearly two years after the deadly Mumbai attacks, 81% say terrorism is a very big problem.

Moreover, a plurality of Indians characterize Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group widely blamed for the Mumbai attacks, as the greatest threat facing their country. One-third name Pakistan as the greatest threat – and overwhelmingly Indians believe there is a link between these two threats: 58% say the Pakistani government actively supports extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, while another 21% think it at least tolerates them. And if these groups were to conduct another terrorist attack against India, most would support military action against them in Pakistan.

Overall, Indians take a dim view of their neighbor and longtime rival: 81% express a negative opinion of Pakistan. Concern that the Pakistani state will be consumed by extremism is widespread: 78% are worried that extremists groups will take over Pakistan.

Despite these tensions and a history of hostility between the two nations, most want better relations and deeper economic ties with Pakistan. More than eight-in-ten Indians (83%) say it is important that relations with Pakistan improve, while more than six-in-ten (63%) believe an increase in trade and business ties between the two countries would be good for India. And 63% also favor further talks between India and Pakistan to reduce tensions.

These are the latest findings from a spring 2010 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 2,254 adults in India from April 9 to April 30, 2010. The sample, which is disproportionately urban, represents approximately 61% of the adult population.1 (India was surveyed as part of the Spring 2010 Pew Global Attitudes survey, which included 22 nations. For more findings from this survey, see “Obama More Popular Abroad Than at Home, Global Image of U.S. Continues to Benefit,” released June 17, 2010, as well as other reports and analyses at pewglobal.org.)

U.S. Image Strong

The United States enjoys a largely positive image in India. Nearly two-thirds (66%) express a favorable opinion of the U.S., although this is down from 76% last year. By contrast, only 51% rate Russia favorably, and even fewer feel this way about the EU (36%) or China (34%).

While many publics around the world continue to believe the U.S. acts unilaterally in world affairs, Indians see a more multilateral America. More than eight-in-ten (83%) say the U.S. takes the interests of countries like India into account when it makes foreign policy decisions – the highest percentage among the 21 nations surveyed outside the U.S. This view has become increasingly common among Indians over the last eight years – in 2002, only 51% said the U.S. considered their interests.

U.S. President Barack Obama, who is scheduled to visit India and other Asian countries in November, is widely popular: 73% express confidence that Obama will do the right thing in world affairs.

India as a World Power

Indians express confident views about their country’s role in the international arena. Almost four-in-ten (38%) think India is already one of the world’s leading powers and roughly half (49%) say it will be one eventually. Only 8% believe it will never be a major power.

Indians also believe their country is well-regarded abroad; 87% say India is generally liked by people in other counties. Among the 22 publics surveyed, only Indonesians (92%) are more likely to think their country enjoys international popularity.

However, India actually receives mixed ratings in other Asian countries. On balance, Indonesians, Japanese, and South Koreans express positive views of India, but opinions toward India in China, and especially in Pakistan, are largely negative.

Most Say Economy Is Strong

Over the last several years, Indians have not shared the gloomy economic mood that has been pervasive across much of the globe. Again this year, most Indians see their country’s economy in a positive light; 57% say the economy is in good shape, although this is down from 73% in 2009.

Overwhelmingly, Indians give their government high marks for its handling of the economy; 85% say it is doing a good job. And most are optimistic about the future, with 64% saying the economy will improve over the next 12 months.

These ratings look even more positive when compared with other countries around the world, many of which are still struggling with the effects of the global economic downturn.

China (91%) and Brazil (62%) are the only countries surveyed in which a larger percentage of respondents describe their economic situation in a positive light. China is the only nation in which the government gets higher marks for dealing with the economy (91% of Chinese approve of how their government has handled this issue). And India ranks fourth out of 22 nations in terms of optimism about the near term economic future.

India also ranks fourth on overall satisfaction with national conditions. Even so, only 45% of Indians say they are satisfied with the way things are going in their country, while 54% are dissatisfied. In 2009, a majority (53%) had a positive view of national conditions and 46% offered a negative assessment.

Indians see a number of specific challenges facing their nation. In particular, at least 80% say crime, terrorism and corruption are very big problems. More than six-in-ten characterize the situation in Kashmir, pollution, and illegal drugs as very big problems.2
And about two-thirds say this about economic problems, suggesting that Indians continue to confront economic challenges, even if they believe their country is generally on the right economic path.

Also of Note:

* Prime Minister Manmohan Singh receives extremely positive ratings (87% favorable), as do Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi (87%) and her son Rahul Gandhi (85%).

* The Indian military also receives high marks: 92% say it is having a good influence on the nation, and 65% describe its influence as very good.

* Indians embrace key elements of economic globalization. Nine-in-ten describe growing trade and business ties between India and other nations as a good thing; 79% believe most people are better off in a free market economy, even if that means some are rich while others are poor; and 72% think large foreign companies are having a positive impact in India.

 

[Minimalist]

Chapter 1. Views of Pakistan and Extremism

Nearly two years after the Mumbai terror attacks, security concerns dominate Indian views of Pakistan. Fully seven-in-ten see their neighbor as a very serious threat to their country. Nearly six-in-ten believe that Pakistan is actively supporting extremist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, an organization that a plurality considers the greatest threat to their country. And a wide majority worries that extremist groups could take control of Pakistan.

Despite substantial security concerns and largely negative views of Pakistan, a majority of Indians, particularly those who are more educated, believe in the importance of improving relations with Pakistan and support further diplomatic talks and economic ties between the two countries.

Views of Pakistan

Only 13% of Indians give Pakistan a positive rating, while slightly more than eight-in-ten (81%) have an unfavorable opinion of their neighbor. Attitudes toward Pakistan have turned slightly more negative since last year, when 18% expressed a favorable and 73% had an unfavorable view.

Indians are the least likely to have a positive opinion of Pakistan among the 10 countries where this question was asked. Pakistan receives significantly better marks in some predominantly Muslim countries, although Indonesia is the only country in which a majority expresses a favorable opinion.

Relations Between India and Pakistan

While few Indians have a positive view of Pakistan, a strong majority (83%) agrees that it is very (49%) or somewhat (34%) important that relations between the two countries improve. Only 11% consider this unimportant.

Even though majorities among all education and income groups believe in improving relations, highly educated Indians are more convinced than those with less education. Among those with at least some college education, 85% believe in the importance of improved relations, while 12% disagree and only 3% are unsure. Roughly seven-in-ten (69%) of those with a primary education or less believe in the importance of improving relations between India and Pakistan, while 13% disagree and 18% do not have an opinion on the issue.

Not only do most Indians see the importance of improving relations with their neighbor, majorities also support further talks to reduce tensions (63%) and believe that increased trade and business ties across the border would be a good thing (63%).3 More educated Indians are particularly supportive of increased trade and better business ties – 66% of those with at least some college education see increased economic ties as a good thing, compared with 54% among those with a secondary education or less.

Looking at Pakistani public opinion regarding relations with India, 72% believe in the importance of improved relations with India, while 15% disagree and 12% are unsure of their stand. More than three-fourths among Pakistanis support further talks between the two countries (76%) and see increased trade ties as a good thing (77%).

Dispute Over Kashmir

For decades, the dispute over Kashmir has been central to relations between India and Pakistan, and today more than two-thirds (69%) among Indians see the situation as a very big problem in their country.

Roughly nine-in-ten Indians (91%) consider it important that the dispute over Kashmir be resolved, and 65% say it is very important.

Large majorities across all demographic groups support resolving the Kashmir issue. Yet, as in the case of views on improved economic and political relations with Pakistan, the well-educated are especially likely to hold this view. More than nine-in-ten (92%) among those with some college education or more see the importance of resolving the issue. Among those with a primary education or less, nearly three-fourths (74%) say the same.

When asked about the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue, Pakistanis also overwhelmingly say it should be a priority: 90% believe it is important, including 79% who say it is very important.

Many See Lashkar-e-Taiba as Greatest Threat

Recent terror attacks, domestic disturbances and the general volatility of the South Asian region raise constant security concerns among Indians. Majorities consider Pakistan, the Islamic extremist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Maoist groups known as Naxalites and China as at least somewhat serious threats to their country.

Indians are particularly likely to consider Lashkar-e-Taiba as a very serious threat to their country (77%). The group has claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks on Indian soil and has been widely blamed by the government for the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Seven-in-ten Indians also say Pakistan is a very serious threat. Naxalites, who have engaged in frequent violent insurgencies in the country, also attract significant concern (61%). Indians are relatively less concerned about the threat posed by China – slightly more than four-in-ten (42%) consider China a very serious threat – despite the history of military conflict between the two countries.

When asked to name the greatest threat to their country – among Lashkar-e-Taiba, Pakistan, Naxalites and China – a 42% plurality of Indians say Lashkar-e-Taiba. One-third name Pakistan and 16% choose Naxalites. Only 3% believe China is the greatest threat.

The Indian government has widely alleged that Lashkar-e-Taiba is closely linked with the Pakistani government, and the Indian public agrees; nearly eight-in-ten (79%) believe that Lashkar-e-Taiba is actively supported (58%) or tolerated (21%) by the Pakistani government, while only 12% believe that the Pakistani government is opposing the group.

Among those who believe the Pakistani government supports or at least tolerates extremist organizations, 79% say that if there is another terrorist attack on India by these groups, India should take military action against them in Pakistan.

Not only are Indians concerned about the Pakistani government supporting extremist groups, they also continue to worry that such groups may take control of Pakistan. A strong majority (78%) are at least somewhat concerned about this, including more than half (53%) who are very concerned. Only 14% of Indians say that they are not worried about extremist groups taking control of Pakistan.

Among Pakistanis, slightly more than half (51%) also express this concern, while three-in-ten (30%) say they are not too or not at all worried about extremist groups taking control over the country.

Islamic Extremism

In line with the high levels of perceived threat from Lashkar-e-Taiba, nearly nine-in-ten Indians express concern about Islamic extremism both in their country and around the world. Fully 86% of Indians say they are concerned about Islamic extremism in the world and 54% are very concerned about this. A similar proportion worry about Islamic extremism in their country (88%) including more than half (54%) who express a high degree of concern.

Compared with other countries where the question was asked, Indians are more likely to express concern about Islamic extremism. In particular, Indians are more likely to say that they are very concerned about extremism, both at home and around the world.

 

[Minimalist]

Chapter 2. India and the World

The United States enjoys a largely positive image among Indians: solid majorities have a favorable view of the U.S., express confidence in U.S. President Barack Obama, and believe the U.S. takes India’s interests into account when making foreign policy.

Moreover, Indians assign higher ratings to the U.S. than to other leading powers. About half (51%) have a positive opinion of Russia, while only 36% say the same about the EU.

Meanwhile, views toward China have turned sharply negative over the last year. In 2009, 46% of Indians expressed a positive view of China, compared with just 34% this year.

Indians see their own country as a rising global power. Nearly nine-in-ten Indians say their country already is (38%) or will eventually be (49%) one of the most powerful nations in the world. Just 8% say India will never be one of the world’s leading powers.

Most Indians also think their country is popular abroad. However, India actually receives mixed reviews from its Asian neighbors.

Positive Ratings for U.S.

America’s image in India has been generally positive in all Pew Global Attitudes surveys dating back to 2002, and this year roughly two-thirds (66%) of Indians have a favorable opinion of the U.S.; just 24% express an unfavorable view. Still, positive ratings for the U.S. are less common now than in 2009, when 76% held a favorable view.

Indians with higher household incomes and higher levels of education are especially likely to express a positive view of the U.S.4 At least seven-in-ten high- (72%) and middle- (70%) income respondents give the U.S. favorable ratings, compared with 54% of those in the low-income group.

Similarly, Indians who have attended college (70%) and those with a high school education (68%) are more likely than those with five to nine years of schooling (47%) and those with four years or less (39%) to have a positive opinion of the U.S. Nearly one-in-five (19%) low-income respondents do not offer an opinion about the U.S.; about three-in-ten of those with less than a high school education also do not offer an opinion.

About half of Indians (51%) consider the U.S. a partner to their country, down slightly from 56% last year, but considerably higher than the 40% observed in 2008. Meanwhile, 24% regard the U.S. as an enemy, up from 9% in last year’s poll. The percentage that sees the U.S. as neither a partner nor an enemy has dropped significantly over the last two years, falling from 38% in 2008 to 17% today.

A common complaint about American foreign policy in many countries is that the U.S. acts unilaterally in world affairs, failing to take into account the interests of other nations, but this is not the case in India. Fully 83% of Indians think the U.S. takes into account the interests of countries like theirs when it is making foreign policy decisions – the highest percentage among the 21 countries surveyed outside the U.S. The view that the U.S. considers India’s interests has become steadily more common since 2002, when only 51% held this view.

President Barack Obama also receives largely positive ratings in India. Nearly three-in-four (73%) say they have a lot or some confidence in Obama to do the right thing in world affairs. Just 15% have not too much or no confidence in the American president.

Most Say U.S.-India Relations Have Improved

Six-in-ten Indians think that relations between their country and the U.S. have improved in recent years, while 29% say they have not improved. Indians are less likely to say the relationship is improving than was the case in 2009, when 70% held this view.

Indians are divided over whether relations between the U.S. and neighboring Pakistan have improved in recent years: 40% say they have improved, while 44% believe they have not.

A 38% plurality believes that U.S. policies toward India and Pakistan favor India too much, while 33% say they are fair and 14% say they favor Pakistan.

Looking at Pakistani public opinion on these same questions, 37% believe relations between the U.S. and India have improved in recent years, while 32% say they have not. Pakistanis are also somewhat divided over whether relations between their own country and the U.S. have improved: 36% say yes, 39% no. Regarding American policy in South Asia, nearly half of Pakistanis (47%) say the U.S. favors India too much; 13% believe U.S. policy is fair and just 6% say it favors Pakistan.

Declining Ratings for China

Indian views of China have grown significantly more negative over the last year. Currently, just 34% hold a favorable opinion of China, while 52% have an unfavorable opinion. In 2009, 46% expressed a positive and 39% a negative view. As recently as five years ago, positive ratings of China outweighed negative ones by a 56% to 20% margin.

The percentage of Indians who consider China an enemy has almost doubled since last year’s poll. Today, 44% hold this view, compared with 23% in 2009. Roughly a third (32%) now label China a partner, down from 43% last year.

About four-in-ten Indians (42%) consider China a very serious threat to their country; another 28% say it is a somewhat serious threat. Fewer than one-in-five think it is either a minor threat (11%) or no threat at all (8%).

Concerns about China’s economic power are also on the rise – 56% say China’s growing economy is a bad thing for India, up from 45% in 2008.

China’s expanding military might is viewed even more negatively. More than six-in-ten (64%) believe that China’s growing military power is a bad thing for India; 27% consider it a good thing. Opinions on this question have changed little since 2008, when 62% said it was bad for India and 24% believed it was good.

India’s International Image

Overwhelmingly, Indians believe that their own country is perceived positively abroad; 87% say India is generally liked around the world, while just 12% think people in other countries dislike India. Of the 22 nations surveyed, only in Indonesia do more (92%) say their country is well-regarded.

However, India does not receive uniformly positive ratings from the five other Asian publics included in the survey. Majorities in Indonesia (64%) and Japan (62%) offer favorable opinions; views of India are also, on balance, positive in South Korea, where half give the country a favorable rating and about a third (34%) give it an unfavorable rating.

In contrast, just one-in-five Pakistanis express positive views of their country’s longtime rival; seven-in-ten have a negative opinion of India. Overall views of India are also negative in China – only about one-third of Chinese respondents (32%) have a favorable opinion and 51% have an unfavorable opinion of India.

In Indonesia, Japan and South Korea, ratings for India are higher than those for China, another major Asian power. Just 38% in South Korea and even fewer (26%) in Japan give China a favorable rating, while majorities in both (56% and 69%, respectively) give it an unfavorable rating. And while most Indonesians (58%) offer positive opinions of China, even more express favorable views of India. Pakistanis, on the other hand, have far more positive views of China than they do of India; more than eight-in-ten (85%) in that country give China a favorable rating.

 

[Minimalist]

Views of India’s Economic Power

With the exception of Pakistan, majorities in all of the Asian countries surveyed see India’s growing economy as a good thing for their countries. Views of India’s economic power are particularly positive in Japan and South Korea, where at least two-thirds consider it a good thing (76% and 68%, respectively). Nearly six-in-ten in Indonesia (57%) also offer positive assessments of India’s growing economy.

Despite the fact that only about one-third of Chinese have a favorable overall opinion of India, six-in-ten say India’s growing economy is good for China. Moreover, 53% of Chinese characterize the relationship between India and their country as one of cooperation; only 9% describe it as one of hostility; 23% say it is neither, while 15% have no opinion.

Just 27% of Pakistanis say India’s growing economic strength is good for their country; a majority (53%) considers India’s growing economy bad for Pakistan. In contrast, about eight-in-ten (79%) Pakistanis offer positive views of China’s economic power. Majorities in Japan and Indonesia (61% each) also consider China’s economic might a good thing for their countries, while South Koreans are divided – 45% say China’s growing economy is good and 49% say it is bad.

 

[Minimalist]

Chapter 3. Views of National Conditions and the Economy

A majority of Indians express dissatisfaction with national conditions overall. Still, nearly six-in-ten give their nation’s economy a positive rating, and most expect economic conditions to improve over the next year. In addition, more than eight-in-ten say the government is doing a good job dealing with the economy.

Concerns about crime, terrorism and corrupt political leaders are widespread; at least eight-in-ten see these issues as very big problems in their country. More than six-in-ten also describe the situation in Kashmir, pollution, illegal drugs, and economic issues as major challenges. Moreover, a solid majority of Indians say that the Maoist rebel Naxalites pose a serious threat to their country.

National Conditions and the Economy

More than half of Indians (54&#37 are dissatisfied with the way things are going in their country, while 45% are satisfied with national conditions overall. In 2009, a slim majority (53%) expressed positive views of the way things were going in India and 46% offered negative opinions.

Yet, despite the overall negative views of national conditions, a majority (57%) describes the current economic situation in India as very or somewhat good. Of the other 21 publics included in the 2010 survey, only the Chinese and Brazilians rate their countries’ economies more positively (91% and 62%, respectively).

Satisfaction with the state of the economy is more prevalent among the more affluent and those with at least some college education. About six-in-ten (62%) of those with a monthly household income above 10,000 rupees describe India’s economy as good, compared with much slimmer majorities of those in the middle and low income groups (55% and 53%, respectively). Similar differences are evident across education groups.

However, ratings of national economic conditions are considerably more negative than they were a year ago. In 2009, nearly three-quarters (73%) of Indians said their country’s economy was in good shape, while just 27% said it was in bad shape.

Government’s Handling of the Economy

When those who give India’s economy a negative rating are asked who is to blame for their country’s current economic problems, about nine-in-ten (89%) say the government is among the top culprits; 63% fault Indians themselves, while far fewer say banks and large financial institutions (14%), the United States (9%) or the European Union (3%) are to blame for India’s economic troubles.

Still, more than eight-in-ten Indians (85%) say their government is doing a good job dealing with the economy; just 11% say the government is doing a bad job. India’s government gets good ratings among all demographic groups, but positive views are especially widespread among respondents with higher incomes and with at least a high school education.

More than eight-in-ten of those who completed high school (85%) and those who attended college (86%) say the government is doing a good job dealing with the economy, compared with 77% of those with a middle school education and 70% of those with a primary education or less. The breakdown by income group follows a similar pattern: Nearly nine-in-ten in the high-income group (88%) and about the same percentage in the middle-income group (87%) give the government a good rating, while somewhat fewer among those in the lowest income category (77%) share this view.

Most Optimistic About Economic Future

Indians are hopeful that their country’s economic condition will improve over the next year. More than six-in-ten (64%) expect the economy to be better, while just 13% say it will worsen and 20% expect it to remain the same.

Optimism about India’s short-term economic future is evident among all education and income groups, but it is particularly prevalent among those with at least some college education and those in the middle- and high-income categories. More than six-in-ten Indians with middle- or high- income levels (65% and 69%, respectively) expect their country’s economy to improve over

the next year, compared with a narrow 55% majority of those in the lowest bracket. Likewise, 69% of those who attended college are optimistic, compared with about six-in-ten in lower education groups.

Notably, those who already think India’s economy is in good shape are twice as likely as those who give current economic conditions a bad rating to express optimism about their country’s short-term economic future. About eight-in-ten (82%) Indians who describe the economy as good expect it to be even better in the next year; just 6% say it will be worse and 11% expect the economy to remain the same. By contrast, just 41% of those who say India’s economy is in bad shape think it will improve, while 24% expect it to be worse and 32% say the economy will remain the same in the next year.

Views of Trade and Globalization

Nine-in-ten Indians say that growing trade and business ties between India and other countries is a good thing, consistent with views expressed in Pew Global Attitudes surveys in India since 2002. Support for trade is widespread among all demographic groups.

Indians also overwhelmingly embrace the free market approach. About eight-in-ten (79%) say most people are better off in a market economy, even though some are rich and some are poor, while just 19% disagree with this notion. While solid majorities across all age, income and education groups share this view, respondents younger than age 50 are more supportive of free markets; about eight-in-ten of those younger than 30 (80%) and those ages
30 to 49 (81%) embrace this approach, compared
with 72% of those 50 and older.

Crime, Terrorism and Corruption Top Concerns

About eight-in-ten Indians say crime (82%), terrorism (81%) and corrupt political leaders (80%) are a very big problem in their country. Nearly seven-in-ten (69%) also name the situation in Kashmir as a major challenge, while about two-thirds express similar concern about pollution (67%), illegal drugs (66%) and economic issues (66%).

Of the issues tested, access to drinking water and people leaving India for jobs in other countries are named the least frequently. About half of Indians say these issues are major problems in their country (51% and 48%, respectively).

Women are generally more likely to describe India’s challenges as major. For example, while 53% of women say emigration is a very big problem, fewer than half (44%) of Indian men are similarly concerned about people leaving their country for jobs in other countries. Women also express more concern than men about economic problems, illegal drugs, the situation in Kashmir, access to drinking water, and the gap between the rich and the poor.

Young people are more likely than older respondents to characterize illegal drugs as a major challenge in India. About seven-in-ten (71%) respondents younger than age 30 say drugs are a very big problem, compared with about six-in-ten of those ages 30 to 49 (62%) and those 50 and older (63%).

Interestingly, the more affluent are more likely than those in the middle- and low- income categories to describe the gap between the rich and the poor as a very big problem; 61% of those with monthly household income of above 10,000 rupees do so, compared with half of those with household incomes between 5,001 and 10,000 rupees and 53% of those with household incomes of 5,000 rupees or less.

Naxalites Seen as a Major Threat

About eight-in-ten (82%) Indians say Naxalites pose a serious threat to their country, including 61% who describe the Maoist group as a very serious threat. Just 9% say Naxalites pose only a minor threat (8%) or no threat at all (1%) to India.

Those with higher incomes and those with at least a high school education are especially likely to consider Naxalites a very serious threat to their country. More than six-in-ten of those who attended college (63%) and just slightly fewer among those with a high school degree (60%) offer this opinion, compared with 53% of those with a middle school education and 46% of those with a primary education or less.

Similarly, 70% of those with a monthly household income above 10,000 rupees see Naxalites as a very serious threat to India. A considerably smaller majority of those in the middle- and low-income groups share this view (57% and 56%, respectively).

 

[Minimalist]

Chapter 4. Ratings of Leaders and Institutions

The most prominent members of India’s ruling Congress party get rave reviews from the Indian public. Overwhelming majorities have a favorable opinion of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi and her son and current MP Rahul Gandhi. Opposition leader Nitin Gadkari gets significantly less positive marks.

Strong majorities in India express favorable views of the military, the media, the national government, and large foreign companies. Decidedly fewer offer these positive feelings towards the police and religious leaders.

Views of National Leaders

Close to nine-in-ten (87&#37 Indians have a favorable view of Prime Minister Singh. Moreover, 47% have a very favorable opinion of India’s leader, with only 13% expressing an unfavorable opinion. Singh, who was first elected prime minster in 2004 and then reelected in 2009, is viewed favorably across demographic groups within the Indian population.

Meanwhile, the two members of the Gandhi political dynasty included in this survey have similarly high levels of favorability. Sonia Gandhi – widow of assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi – is viewed favorably by 87% of Indians, including 45% who view her very favorably. Her son Rahul also gets high marks, with 85% of the Indian public expressing a positive opinion of him, and nearly half (49%) expressing a very favorable view.

As with Singh, both Gandhis are well-liked across demographic groups. Fully nine-in-ten women view Sonia positively, as do 84% of men; likewise, nearly the same percentage of women (85%) and men (84%) give Rahul favorable ratings. Solid majorities across all age, income and education groups also express favorable opinions of both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.

Nitin Gadkari, current president of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has significantly lower favorable ratings, partially due to the high number of respondents who offer no opinion. A slim plurality of those surveyed have a favorable view of the politician, with four-in-ten expressing this sentiment, 26% holding a negative view, and 35% not sharing an opinion.

Views of Groups and Institutions

The military is seen as having a good influence by over nine-in-ten (92%) Indians; nearly two-thirds (65%) of those surveyed say the military is a very good influence on the way things are going in India. This is the highest level of support among the seven groups and institutions tested on the survey.

Those in the higher income category give the military more enthusiastic ratings, with over seven-in-ten (72%) rating the military as a very good influence. Still, majorities (65% and 54%, respectively) in the middle- and low-income brackets share this enthusiasm.

At least eight-in-ten in India believe Prime Minister Singh (85%), the media (85%), and the national government (80%) are having a positive influence, and 72% say the same about large companies from other countries.

Indians are divided over the impact of the police: 49% say the police are having a positive impact, while 50% say their impact is negative. Women are more likely to have a positive opinion of the police; 55% believe they are a good influence versus 45% among men.

Religious leaders are seen as exerting a good influence by only 38% of Indians, with a majority (58%) describing them as a bad influence. Unsurprisingly, those who say that religion is very important to their lives have a higher opinion of religious leaders (41% say they have a good influence) versus those who say religion is either somewhat or not important to them (32%).

Opinions of most of these groups and institutions in India have not changed much since the question was last asked in 2007. However, positive ratings for religious leaders are down decidedly, falling 14 percentage points since 2007. On the other hand, ratings for the prime minister have risen 6 percentage points since 2007.

And while Indian views on the influence of foreign companies have not changed significantly since 2007, views are up 11 percentage points from the 61% measured in 2002.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Interesting thread.

I was particularly interested to find out that the majority of Chinese people consider the growth of the Indian economy to be a positive thing. (I agree with that by the way).

 

[Minimalist]

Survey Methods

Results for the survey are based on face-to-face interviews conducted April 9 to April 30, 2010. The survey in India is part of the larger 2010 Pew Global Attitudes survey conducted in 22 nations from April 7 to May 8, 2010, under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates International. (For more results from the 22-nation 2010 poll, see “Obama More Popular Abroad Than at Home, Global Image of U.S. Continues To Benefit,” released June 17, 2010.)

The table provides details about the survey’s methodology, including the margin of sampling error based on all interviews conducted in India. For the results based on the full sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus the margin of error. In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.

 

[NFR]

Only one thing really surprised me:
-That Turkey and China both have substantial unfavourable view of Pakistan [30 for 50 against in both cases]

Actual detailed methodology such as questions asked in face-to-face interview might shed more light on this. One can well imagine 'favourable' being phrased in such a way so as to the native speaker meaning 'do you think it is doing well'.

Other semi-random notes:
-China's Sinic culture neighbours hate China. That is totally unsurprising but worth stressing all the same. China has no friends on the international stage save Pakistan. I would like Russia to be closer to China but suspicions and mistrust of centuries will take a long time to erode. I imagine also vice versa is true.
-Indian perception of Chinese economic growth and China itself seems correlated.
-Chinese feelings towards India appears astonishingly close to those of Pakistan. Detailed methodology at this point strongly desired.
-Indians appear to be.. shall we say touchingly trusting of Americans as their newest bestest buddies. That could make India's balancing act between American and China complicated.
-EU almost as disliked as China!

---------- Post added at 03:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:28 PM ----------

Oh, and Minimalist, you have Hitler as your avatar. Please explain yourself and remove same at the earliest opportunity.

 

[TechLahore]

Unfortunately, in light of everything I have read, witnessed and experienced, I cannot agree with the characterization of Turkish and Chinese popular opinion as expressed in this survey. I am not sure what "favourable" means... but certainly, a survey across 2,000 or fewer participants would be about as valid (or statistically, even less so), than a similar survey on this forum, which now has over 30,000 members. Perhaps we should double check the claims about Chinese and Turkish opinions by asking members from these two countries whether or not they are "favourable" towards Pakistan, i.e. that they consider Pakistan a friend and think well of it.

 

[NFR]

Unfortunately, in light of everything I have read, witnessed and experienced, I cannot agree with the characterization of Turkish and Chinese popular opinion as expressed in this survey. I am not sure what "favourable" means... but certainly, a survey across 2,000 or fewer participants would be about as valid (or statistically, even less so), than a similar survey on this forum, which now has over 30,000 members. Perhaps we should double check the claims about Chinese and Turkish opinions by asking members from these two countries whether or not they are "favourable" towards Pakistan, i.e. that they consider Pakistan a friend and think well of it.

That's not actually true. This forum is self-selecting and invariably produce 'selection bias'. Although I still express some surprise and perhaps even doubt at those particular results.

[For example I promise you a survey of Indian members of the forum will produce a MUCH favourable more result for 'view of Pakistan' than the general survey which I find accurate]

Also requesting forum clarification on rules regarding avatars. I greatly hope that faschists as avatars are not considered acceptable.

 

[Minimalist]

Also, the fact that many (if not most) of the members on this forum are below 18 has to be taken into account.

Age brings maturity with it and a survey of people on such forums as this is bound to be influenced by people of not yet completely developed maturity levels.

 

[NFR]

By that you mean such as people who have faschist leader as avatar and apparently under some curious delusion that it is acceptable in any civilised place?

 

[Minimalist]

By that you mean such as people who have faschist leader as avatar and apparently under some curious delusion that it is acceptable in any civilised place?

No by it I meant the possession of the discernment that even the most evil of persons can possess some good qualities which if admired, will not do any disservice to anyone.

 

[NFR]

What, praytell, are the admirable qualities of Hitler? That he likes dogs?

I am all anxiety to know.