India’s international image has come under growing scrutiny, with a recent Pew Research Center survey showing a significant decline in favorable views of the country in several major nations.
According to the survey figures cited in the report, only 45% of people globally hold a favorable view of India, while the country’s popularity has declined substantially over the past two decades.
The survey indicates that public opinion of India in the United States has also weakened.
According to the cited figures, around 50% of Americans expressed an unfavorable view of India. The trend is reportedly even more pronounced among younger Americans, with a significant proportion expressing negative views of the country.
The survey also points to a decline in confidence in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi among Americans over the past five years.
Australia has also reportedly recorded a decline in positive perceptions of India, with favorable views falling to around 44%.
The development could have wider geopolitical implications because India is a key member of the Quad, alongside the United States, Australia and Japan.
A continued deterioration in India’s international reputation could therefore create additional political and diplomatic challenges for the grouping.
India’s changing global image has increasingly been discussed in connection with Hindu nationalism, communal tensions and the country’s political environment.
Claims attributed to The Wall Street Journal have highlighted concerns surrounding treatment of religious minorities, pressure on critics and an increasingly hostile online political culture.
The activities of aggressive social-media networks and online troll groups have also attracted criticism, with opponents arguing that abusive campaigns and attacks on dissenting voices have contributed to damaging India’s international image.
A sustained decline in India’s global favorability could have implications beyond public opinion.
India has sought to position itself as an emerging global power, a major economic market and an important strategic partner for Western countries. A weakening international image could complicate those diplomatic ambitions.
The trend may also create additional political pressure in India’s relations with the United States, Australia and other Western partners, particularly as New Delhi seeks to expand its strategic partnerships.
However, the specific Pew Research Center figures and claims attributed to The Wall Street Journal should be assessed against the original survey methodology and source reports before drawing definitive conclusions about India’s global standing.
