Pakistanis see India as bigger threat than al Qaeda: Poll
Pakistani people's views on India have grown "increasingly negative" in recent years and a majority of them see their neighbour as a bigger threat than al Qaeda and the Taliban, according to a new poll.
Pakistani people's views on India have grown "increasingly negative" in recent years and a majority of them see their neighbour as a bigger threat than al Qaeda and the Taliban, according to a new poll.
The poll results released by Pew Research Centre on Tuesday showed that three-in-four have an unfavorable opinion of India, up from 50% five years ago.
"Pakistani views of traditional rival India have grown increasingly negative in recent years," it said, noting that about 57% of Pakistanis feel that India is a bigger threat to their country than al Qaeda (5%) and the Taliban (19%).
However, according to the poll, seven-in-ten believe that it is important to improve relations with India, say increased trade with their neighbour would be a good thing, and support further talks to reduce tensions between the two countries.
Similarly, Indians expressed negative opinions of Pakistan.
About 65% have an unfavorable view on Pakistan with 65% name it as India's biggest threat.
Like Pakistanis, Indians also want to see improved relations between the two countries and most support increased trade between India and Pakistan.