Pew Research Center: South Asians’ Views of Neighboring Countries

A recent Pew Research Center survey conducted between January 5 and March 25, 2024, reveals that South Asians generally have more positive than negative views of their neighboring countries. However, these views vary significantly by religion, particularly concerning India and Pakistan. The survey, which focused on regional dynamics in South Asia, included responses from adults in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, due to logistical challenges, Pakistan was not included in this year’s survey.

Views of India

The survey found that India is viewed positively in both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Sri Lanka, 65% of respondents reported a favorable view of India, while 57% of Bangladeshis shared this sentiment. The survey focused on opinions about neighboring countries rather than the respondents’ own country.
In Bangladesh, political affiliation played a significant role in shaping India’s views. Supporters of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League were more likely to view India favorably (71%) compared to those who did not support the party (49%). Educational background also influenced opinions; in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, adults with higher levels of education were more likely to express a positive view of India and to provide an opinion overall.

Views of Sri Lanka

Both Bangladeshis and Indians generally hold favorable views of Sri Lanka. Respondents in these countries were about twice as likely to have a positive view of Sri Lanka compared to a negative one. However, about one-third of respondents in both countries did not answer the question.
In India, supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were more likely to have favorable views of Sri Lanka (46%) compared to nonsupporters (39%). Similarly, in Bangladesh, former governing party supporters were more inclined to view Sri Lanka positively.
Education also played a role in Bangladesh, where those with higher levels of education were more likely to view Sri Lanka favorably (60% vs. 42%). Educated respondents were also more likely to provide an opinion.

Views of Bangladesh

Opinions about Bangladesh were more positive than negative in both India and Sri Lanka. About 47% of Sri Lankans and 35% of Indians held favorable views of Bangladesh. However, a significant portion of respondents in both countries did not know or chose not to answer the question. In India, this group was larger than those who expressed either a favorable or unfavorable opinion. The survey was conducted before the violent clashes between Bangladeshi police and student protesters in July 2024.

Views of Pakistan

Opinions about Pakistan were more divided compared to those about India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka:

• • In Sri Lanka, 44% of respondents had a favorable view of Pakistan, while 25% had an unfavorable view.
  • In Bangladesh, 40% viewed Pakistan favorably, while 32% had an unfavorable opinion.
  • In India, opinions were notably more negative, with 61% of respondents holding an unfavorable view of Pakistan and 51% expressing very unfavorable views. Only 12% of Indians had a favorable view of Pakistan.

Since the survey began in 2013, Indians have consistently held unfavorable views of Pakistan, with no more than 20% expressing a positive opinion at any point. The historical tensions between India and Pakistan, stemming from the 1947 Partition of British India, continue to heavily influence public opinion. Additionally, Indians who did not support the NDA were slightly more likely to view Pakistan favorably (15%) compared to NDA supporters (9%).

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