Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: India is rising but how does the world view us and our growing say in global affairs? In a poll conducted in 27 countries, India rated a 42% “mainly positive” and 29% “mainly negative” view of its influence in 2010-2011.
The BBC World Service Country Rating Poll conducted in association with the University of Maryland had a sample size of 30,000 people from the major urban areas of these countries.
The poll has thrown up some interesting findings on India’s position and image in the global community at a time when we are aiming high.
In number terms, seventeen countries lean positive towards India, four lean negative while the remaining six are divided. India’s biggest supporters are in Italy, the US and the UK where the positive lean is 61%, 56% and 50 % respectively - importantly, the number of those with whom India is losing favour in the US and the UK has also risen, 29% and 35% respectively.
On other hand, the countries with mainly negative view of India’s influence are France, The Philippines, Spain, and expectedly Pakistan.
Those divided are Australia (was positive in 2010) and China.
How does others fare
US: 49% positive; 31% negative
China: 44% positive; 38% negative
UK & Canada: 57% positive; 12% negative
And, the country with the most favourable ratings?
Germany: A whopping 62% lean positive with only 15% viewing its influence as negative.
First Published: Thursday, March 10, 2011, 11:31