33% Indians perceive Pakistan as greatest threat: poll
A poll shows Obama is popular in India while Pakistan and extremist groups are seen as the greatest threats.
Thirty-three percent of Indians see Pakistan as the greatest threat to India while 42 per cent see Lashkar-e-Taiba as the greatest threat, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center.
According to the poll, Obama remains very popular in India, whereas Pakistan and extremist groups are seen as some the greatest threats by Indians.
The spring 2010 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project conducted face-to-face interviews with 2,254 adults in India from April 9 to April 30, 2010.
The poll shows that about two-thirds of Indians have favorable opinions of the US and that Indians are largely positive about the country’s economic situation. More than seven out of ten Indians said that they have confidence in the American president Barack Obama ahead of his state visit there next month.
Indians are confident of their country’s role in the international arena and most Indians (57 per cent think that the economy is in good shape) say their economy is strong. Still, most of the respondents said that India faces major challenges, including crime and corruption.
In terms of external threats, a lot of people are concerned about Pakistan and extremist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba. The survey shows that Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group widely blamed for the Mumbai attacks, is seen as the single greatest threat facing India.
Indians take a dim view of their neighbor Pakistan overall with 81 per cent of those surveyed expressing a negative opinion of Pakistan.The Indian concern that the Pakistan will be consumed by extremism is widespread with 78 per cent saying that they are worried that extremists groups will take over the Pakistani state.
Despite these concerns about Pakistan, most Indians are in favor of expanding trade ties and improving diplomatic relations with Pakistan with 83 per cent of those surveyed saying that it is important that relations with Pakistan improve, while more than 63 per cent believe an increase in trade and business ties would be good for India.
With additional input by Hassan Asif.
According to the poll, Obama remains very popular in India, whereas Pakistan and extremist groups are seen as some the greatest threats by Indians.
The spring 2010 survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project conducted face-to-face interviews with 2,254 adults in India from April 9 to April 30, 2010.
The poll shows that about two-thirds of Indians have favorable opinions of the US and that Indians are largely positive about the country’s economic situation. More than seven out of ten Indians said that they have confidence in the American president Barack Obama ahead of his state visit there next month.
Indians are confident of their country’s role in the international arena and most Indians (57 per cent think that the economy is in good shape) say their economy is strong. Still, most of the respondents said that India faces major challenges, including crime and corruption.
In terms of external threats, a lot of people are concerned about Pakistan and extremist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba. The survey shows that Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group widely blamed for the Mumbai attacks, is seen as the single greatest threat facing India.
Indians take a dim view of their neighbor Pakistan overall with 81 per cent of those surveyed expressing a negative opinion of Pakistan.The Indian concern that the Pakistan will be consumed by extremism is widespread with 78 per cent saying that they are worried that extremists groups will take over the Pakistani state.
Despite these concerns about Pakistan, most Indians are in favor of expanding trade ties and improving diplomatic relations with Pakistan with 83 per cent of those surveyed saying that it is important that relations with Pakistan improve, while more than 63 per cent believe an increase in trade and business ties would be good for India.
With additional input by Hassan Asif.