Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Why India and Pakistan still see each other as major threats
India and Pakistan are two neighboring countries that have not trusted each other for a very long time, even though they separated more than seventy years ago.
A new survey asked people in both countries what they think about other countries.
More than half of the people in India said Pakistan is the biggest danger to their country.
In Pakistan, many people said the same thing about India, though not quite as many.
The survey also showed that Pakistan thinks China is its best friend.
India is friendly with both Russia and the United States.
Over the years, wars, fighting at the border, and attacks have made the mistrust stronger.
Trade between the two countries is very small and people rarely visit each other.
Because they do not talk much, the two countries keep seeing each other as big threats.
A Pew Research Center survey found 54% of Indians see Pakistan as their greatest external threat, versus 21% who named China.
In Pakistan, 43% of respondents view India as the country's greatest threat.
Three-quarters of Pakistanis (75%) described China as Pakistan's most important ally.
India keeps ties with both Moscow (35% name it the top ally) and Washington (17%), reflecting its policy of strategic autonomy.
Minimal trade, intermittent political engagement, and declining people-to-people contact have kept mutual suspicion entrenched.
- Who
- Citizens of India and Pakistan surveyed by the Pew Research Center.
- What
- A Pew Research Center survey shows each country still views the other as a major external threat, with China seen as Pakistan's top ally.
- When
- The survey is newly released; the rivalry spans more than seven decades since Partition.
- Where
- India and Pakistan, within the broader South Asia region.
- Why
- A history of wars, cross-border terrorism, ceasefire violations, and minimal dialogue has made mutual suspicion appear structural.
India's Perspective
Pakistan's Perspective
Greatest external threat
India's Perspective
54% of Indians identify Pakistan as the greatest external threat, compared with 21% who name China.
Pakistan's Perspective
43% of Pakistanis identify India as the greatest threat to their country.
Strategic alignment
India's Perspective
India maintains ties with both Moscow (35% call it the top ally) and Washington (17%), reflecting strategic autonomy.
Pakistan's Perspective
Pakistan has drawn closer to Beijing, with 75% of respondents calling China its most important ally.
- Survey publisher
- Pew Research Center
- Indians viewing Pakistan as greatest threat
- 54%
- Indians viewing China as greatest threat
- 21%
- Pakistanis viewing India as greatest threat
- 43%
- Pakistanis calling China most important ally
- 75%
- Indians naming Russia most important ally
- 35%
- Indians naming United States most important ally
- 17%
- Context
- More than seven decades since Partition