Archive · 18 Aug 2026
For first time, more Americans view India unfavourably than favourably
There is a research group called the Pew Research Center that asks people in different countries what they think of other countries.
This year, they asked Americans what they think of India.
For the very first time, more American adults said they have a negative view of India than said they have a positive view.
About 45 out of every 100 Americans said good things about India, while 50 out of 100 said not-so-good things.
These are some of the lowest numbers since Pew started asking in 2008.
Americans' good feelings about India have been slipping - 51 in 100 felt positive in 2023, and fewer have felt that way since.
The survey also found that Democrats like India more than Republicans do, and older Americans like India more than younger Americans do.
India's biggest fans can be found in Sri Lanka, Kenya and the UK.
Across the 36 countries surveyed, people around the world still see India a bit more positively than negatively.
In Pew Research Center's Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey of 42,092 adults across 36 countries, 45 per cent of Americans viewed India favourably while 50 per cent viewed it unfavourably.
It is the first time in Pew's tracking, which began in 2008, that unfavourable American views of India have overtaken favourable ones, with ratings among the lowest recorded since then.
US favourable ratings of India fell from 51 per cent in 2023 to 43 per cent in 2024, recovered to 49 per cent in 2025, and dropped to 45 per cent in 2026.
Democrats (50 per cent) and liberals (54 per cent) view India more favourably than Republicans (42 per cent) and conservatives (40 per cent); 50 per cent of Americans aged 65 and older are favourable versus 42 per cent of those aged 18 to 29.
Worldwide, a median of 45 per cent view India favourably (41 per cent unfavourable), led by Sri Lanka (79 per cent), Kenya (71 per cent) and the UK (71 per cent); 54 per cent of Americans say India's influence has stayed the same, while 30 per cent say it has grown.
- Who
- Pew Research Center, which surveyed 42,092 adults across 36 countries.
- What
- More Americans now view India unfavourably (50 per cent) than favourably (45 per cent), the first time unfavourable views have overtaken favourable ones in Pew's tracking since 2008.
- When
- Spring 2026, with the survey conducted between February 8 and May 13, 2026.
- Where
- The United States and 36 countries worldwide where India's global image was measured.
- Why
- The articles report a continued decline in positive sentiment towards India among Americans in recent years but do not attribute a specific cause.
- Survey
- Pew Research Center Spring 2026 Global Attitudes Survey
- Survey period
- February 8 - May 13, 2026
- Sample size
- 42,092 adults across 36 countries
- US favourable view
- 45 per cent
- US unfavourable view
- 50 per cent
- US favourability trend
- 51% (2023), 43% (2024), 49% (2025), 45% (2026)
- Global median
- 45% favourable, 41% unfavourable
- Strongest positive ratings
- Sri Lanka 79%, Kenya 71%, UK 71%
