ISLAMABAD: Americans are viewing India more negatively than positively for the first time in nearly two decades, according to a new Pew Research Center survey that shows a sharp decline in the country's image in the United States.
The Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey found that 50% of US adults now hold an unfavorable opinion of India, while 45% view the country favorably.
Pew said, “The ratings are among the lowest recorded since it began tracking American perceptions of India in 2008.”
The findings mark a continued downward trend in US public opinion of India. “Favorable views stood at 51% in 2023, slipped to 49% in 2025 and dropped by another four percentage points this year.”
The survey, conducted between February and May 2026 across 36 countries and involving more than 42,000 respondents, found significant differences in American attitudes based on political affiliation, ideology and age.
“Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 50% expressed a favorable opinion of India, compared with 42% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Liberal Americans were also more positive, with 54% viewing India favorably, while support fell to 40 percent among conservatives.”
The research revealed that age also influenced perceptions, with Americans aged 65 and older emerging as the most favorable group toward India at 50%. In contrast, only 42% of respondents aged 18 to 29 held a positive opinion of the country.
Sri Lanka recorded the highest favorable rating for India at 79%, followed by Kenya and the United Kingdom at 71 % each. However, Pew noted that favorable views of India have weakened in several countries, including South Korea, Turkey and Bangladesh.