India (Commonwealth Union)_ A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals a notable trend in Indian public opinion, wherein approximately 80 percent of Indians hold a favorable view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This sentiment aligns with the perception of India’s growing global influence, with nearly seven out of ten Indians believing that their nation has attained greater prominence on the international stage. This survey, released in anticipation of the G20 Summit, further unveils a positive global image of India, with a median of 46 percent expressing favorable views of the nation, in contrast to 34 percent unfavorable views, while 16 percent remained neutral.
Specifically, the survey highlights that India is most highly regarded in Israel, where a considerable 71 percent of respondents conveyed a favorable view of the country. The data, collected between February 20 and May 22, involved 30,861 adults across 24 countries, including a cohort of 2,611 Indian participants, aiming to weigh international perceptions of Prime Minister Modi, India’s evolving global influence, and the perspectives of Indians on other countries. The survey revealed that a substantial eight out of ten Indians hold favorable opinions of PM Modi, with over half (55 percent) exhibiting a very favorable stance. The present tenure marks Prime Minister Modi’s second term in office, and he aspires for a third term in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The survey reported that a mere one-fifth of Indians expressed unfavorable sentiments toward him in 2023.
In response to the survey findings, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted that Prime Minister Modi’s popularity remains unwavering, emphasizing that a majority of both Indian citizens and global observers recognize India’s burgeoning global sway. Highlighting the results as a testament to this viewpoint, the BJP conveyed its affirmation through social media channels. The official Twitter handle of BJP posted, “The popularity of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi certainly remains intact! The majority of people in India and across the world believe that India’s global influence is getting stronger!”.
The Pew survey not only underscores India’s positive self-perception but also mirrors a shift in global acknowledgment of India’s growing clout. Significantly, a notable 70 percent of Indian adults believe in their country’s escalated international influence. This stands in stark contrast to a 2022 survey conducted across 19 countries, where a mere 28 percent concurred with such an assertion. The survey added, “Indian adults are more likely to believe India’s power is on the rise. Around seven in ten Indians believe their country has recently become more influential. This stands in comparison with a 2022 survey conducted across 19 countries, where a median of only 28 percent said the same”.
In terms of external influences, the report states that approximately half of Indians (49 percent) perceive the United States’ sway as strengthening in recent times, and 41 percent ascribe the same sentiment to Russia. China’s influence, however, generates a more mixed response among Indians. This survey’s unveiling precedes the G20 Summit scheduled to transpire in New Delhi on September 9-10, further amplifying India’s global engagement and presence.
