India’s US Image Hits Record Low: Favorability Falls Below 50% for First Time
What Happened
A new Pew Research Center survey found that only 45% of Americans now view India favorably, while 50% hold an unfavorable opinion. This marks the first time since Pew began tracking US perceptions of India in 2008 that negative views have outweighed positive ones. India’s favorability in the US has steadily declined from 51% in 2023 to 45% in 2026.
Key Takeaways
The findings suggest a cooling of India’s public image in the US despite strong strategic ties between the two countries. However, India continues to maintain a broadly positive image globally, with strong favorability ratings in countries such as Sri Lanka, the UK, and Kenya.