A new Pew Research survey has unveiled that both Indians and Pakistanis consider each other as the foremost geopolitical threat, thereby illustrating the pervasive distrust that exists between the neighbouring countries. In India, 54 per cent of respondents identified Pakistan as the nation’s most significant threat, while 21 per cent cited China. Conversely, in Pakistan, 43 per cent of participants regarded India as the greatest danger, with 24 per cent selecting both Israel and China.

Divergent Views on Allies and Major Powers

The survey also revealed stark differences in how individuals in both countries perceive their allies and key global powers. In Pakistan, a substantial 75 per cent named China as their most critical ally, with only 12 per cent opting for Saudi Arabia. In contrast, a portion of 36 per cent of Indians identified Russia as their top ally, while 16 per cent indicated the United States, and nearly one-third chose not to respond to the question.

Despite indications of camaraderie between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, only 15 per cent of Pakistanis expressed a favourable opinion of the US. In stark contrast, 90 per cent of participants held a positive view of China. The survey also highlighted that just 12 per cent of Pakistanis had confidence in Trump to make the right decisions regarding global affairs, while a notable 83 per cent extended their trust towards Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Conversely, Indians displayed a significantly more favourable view of Russia than their Pakistani counterparts. Approximately 58 per cent of Indians regarded Russia positively, and 51 per cent expressed confidence in President Vladimir Putin. In Pakistan, these figures were lower, with only 39 per cent and 32 per cent expressing similar sentiments, respectively. Indian perspectives on China were notably less optimistic, with just 23 per cent viewing it positively and only 25 per cent trusting Xi’s leadership on a global scale.

Regional Perspectives and Global Perceptions of India

The survey further encompassed opinions from other South Asian countries, revealing varied perceptions of India. An overwhelming 79 per cent of Sri Lankans viewed India positively, a stark contrast to only 42 per cent of Bangladeshis and a mere 7 per cent of Pakistanis. Among Sri Lankans, 63 per cent identified India as their most significant ally, while Bangladeshis and Pakistanis frequently cited India as their primary threat.

In the United States, the survey reflected divided sentiments towards India, with 45 per cent of Americans holding a favourable view, while 50 per cent expressed unfavourable opinions. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, 50 per cent viewed India positively, compared to 42 per cent of Republicans and their supports. More than half, specifically 54 per cent, of Americans indicated that India’s global influence had remained stable over recent years, while 30 per cent believed it had strengthened, and 13 per cent felt it had weakened.

Overall, the survey illustrates that the perception of India and Pakistan continues to be framed by notions of threat and mistrust, whereas opinions regarding India’s role and influence among broader regional and global audiences remain mixed.

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