In the lead-up to the G20 Summit, a comprehensive survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre has shed light on the global outlook towards India and its charismatic leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The survey’s results, released on Tuesday, reveal a multifaceted perspective on India’s image and the sentiment towards PM Modi across 24 countries.
The Pew Research Centre’s findings indicate that approximately 46 per cent of adults from the surveyed nations hold a favorable view of India. However, a notable segment, constituting 34 per cent, expresses unfavorable sentiments. This dichotomy underscores the complexity of the perception of the nation on the international stage.
While the positive global outlook on India is evident, the survey brings forth a mixed response when it comes to PM Modi. The charismatic leader, known for his dynamic foreign policy initiatives and domestic reforms, is viewed differently among the surveyed nations. In 12 countries, the reception towards PM Modi remains ambivalent.
The survey results reveal that 37 per cent of respondents express confidence in PM Modi’s leadership, a testament to his international stature. Conversely, 40 per cent of those surveyed hold contrasting views, indicating a lack of confidence in the Indian Prime Minister’s approach to global affairs.
Interestingly, the study points out distinct geographical variations in the perception of India. Notably, Israel emerges as the nation with the most favorable view of India, with an overwhelming 71 per cent expressing a positive sentiment. Other countries, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, also display a predominantly favorable outlook towards India.
However, the sentiment is less optimistic in South Africa, where about half of the respondents express an unfavorable view of the country. Moreover, 36 per cent of South Africans hold a very unfavorable view of India. Similar sentiments of criticism are expressed by respondents from the Netherlands and Spain.
The survey delves into the shifting attitudes of Europeans towards India, revealing a notable shift towards negativity over time. Favorable views of India have declined by approximately 10 percentage points or more in five European countries. France, in particular, has seen a substantial drop, with only 39 per cent holding a favorable view compared to 70 per cent in 2008.
The Pew Research Centre’s study, conducted between February 20 and May 22, 2023, encompassed a diverse global sample of 30,861 respondents across 24 countries. The findings underscore the nuanced and evolving perceptions of India on the international stage and the varying opinions towards PM Modi’s leadership.
As India readies to host world leaders for the G20 Summit, these insights from the Pew Research Centre’s survey offer a comprehensive understanding of the intricate tapestry of global views on the nation and its leader.
