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Modi’s foreign policy successful, except over Pakistan: Survey
NEW DELHI: India’s standing in the world is much improved since PM Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, according to the latest annual Pew Research Center opinion
NEW DELHI: India’s standing in the world is much improved since PM Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, according to the latest annual Pew Research Center opinion poll of Indian attitudes. However, a majority of Indians believe New Delhi doesn’t have a grip on its Pakistan policy.
Indians revealed an overwhelmingly positive and confident view of their place in the world and Modi’s foreign policy received a general thumbs-up in the survey.
One stark negative: Strong disapproval of Modi’s handling of Pakistan. Only 22% of Indians polled approved of his policy, a view likely exacerbated by incidents such as the terror strike on Pathankot airbase that was blamed on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Over two-thirds of Indians also feel that their country plays a more important role in the world than it did a decade ago. That is nearly three times similar responses from Americans and Europeans to the same question. This feel-good encompasses globalisation: 52% support India’s involvement in the global economy, also higher than figures for Western respondents.
Pew asked Indians whether they approved of Modi’s dealings with four countries: the US, Russia, China and Pakistan.
The policy for the US received the highest ratings, with 54% approval rating, and 15% being critical. Mainstream India continues to support close relations with Washington. But the survey noted that support for Modi’s US policy has fallen 12 percentage points since last year.
The policy on Pakistan received “a harsh judgment”, Pew noted, with 50% expressing disapproval and only 22% expressing support. The most critical were BJP supporters (54%), with Congress supporters being less bothered (45%). However, this state of affairs is largely unchanged from last year’s survey.
