Archive · 16 Aug 2026
US Republicans turn against India as Democrats stay favourable
A big survey asked people in many countries what they think about India.
In America, fewer people like India now than before.
The survey found that about half of Americans have a bad feeling about India.
This is mostly because of two big fights.
One fight was about visas, which are papers that let people work in America.
The president made these visas cost a lot more money.
Many Indian people use these visas to work in America.
The other fight was about taxes on things India sells to America, called tariffs.
These taxes made Indian things more expensive.
People on social media also said mean things about Indian people.
But not everyone in America feels this way.
People who support one political group, the Democrats, still mostly like India.
People who support the other group, the Republicans, like India less.
In other parts of the world, people still like India a lot.
The survey shows that this change is mostly happening in America, not everywhere.
A Pew Research Centre survey found 45% of Americans view India positively, while 50% have an unfavourable view, one of India's weakest US ratings since 2008.
Among Republicans, only 42% have a favourable view of India versus 55% unfavourable, while 50% of Democrats view India favourably, creating a 13-point partisan gap.
Trump's September 19, 2025 proclamation imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, up from about $2,000-$5,000, affecting Indians who make up over 70% of H-1B holders.
Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods in August 2025 plus a 25% penalty tariff over Russian oil purchases, totalling 50%, later reduced to 18% in February 2026.
Anti-Indian posts on X surged in 2025, with August posts alone getting nearly 190 million views, and researchers called the US 'the epicentre' of anti-Indian online racism.
India's global image remains strong, with favourability rising 11 points in the UK and six points in Germany, while Sri Lanka recorded 79% and Kenya 71% favourable views.
- Who
- Pew Research Centre surveyed Americans and people in 36 countries; US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are central figures.
- What
- A Pew survey found declining US favourability toward India, driven by Republican attitudes, following H-1B visa fee hikes and tariffs.
- When
- The survey was conducted between February and May 2026; key events occurred in August and September 2025 and February 2026.
- Where
- United States, with global comparisons across 36 countries including the UK, Germany, Sri Lanka and Kenya.
- Why
- Changes in US immigration and trade policy, including the H-1B fee and tariffs, plus a rise in anti-Indian content online, contributed to the shift.
Critics of US policy toward India
Supporters of US policy toward India
H-1B visa fee
Critics of US policy toward India
The $100,000 fee harms Indian workers and families, with India's Ministry of External Affairs warning of 'humanitarian consequences'; the US Chamber of Commerce, labour unions and religious groups challenged it in court.
Supporters of US policy toward India
The Trump administration said the policy protects American workers and described the H-1B system as one of the 'most abused' parts of the immigration system.
Tariffs on Indian goods
Critics of US policy toward India
Indian officials called the tariffs 'unjustified and unreasonable', and some Indian security experts accused Washington of using trade as a weapon against a strategic partner.
Supporters of US policy toward India
Trump said the tariff reduction to 18% came after Modi committed to reducing Russian oil purchases and increasing investment in American energy and technology.
- Survey
- Pew Research Centre, Feb-May 2026, 36 countries, 42,000 people
- US favourability
- 45% favourable, 50% unfavourable
- Republican view
- 42% favourable, 55% unfavourable
- Democrat view
- 50% favourable, 47% unfavourable
- H-1B fee
- $100,000 on new applications, up from about $2,000-$5,000
- Tariff on Indian goods
- 50% total, reduced to 18% in February 2026
- Anti-Indian X posts
- August 2025 posts got nearly 190 million views
- India's global favourability
- Worldwide median 45% favourable