South Asia views Bangladesh differently, Sri Lanka uniquely positive: Pew survey

A recent Pew Research Center survey highlights significant differences in how South Asian nations perceive each other, particularly concerning Bangladesh. Conducted between February 8 and May 7, 2026, across Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the survey interviewed thousands of individuals to gauge their views.

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Sri Lanka was the only country in the survey to receive more favourable than unfavourable views from all three of its neighbours.

The findings reveal that Pakistanis and Sri Lankans generally hold positive views of Bangladesh, with 66 percent of Pakistanis and 56 percent of Sri Lankans expressing favorable opinions. In contrast, only about a quarter of Indians share this positive outlook.

Notably, Sri Lanka stands out as the sole country in the survey that received more favorable than unfavorable views from all three of its neighbors. India, however, presented the widest range of perceptions, from near-universal favorability in Sri Lanka to a minimal positive view in Pakistan.

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Perceptions on Bangladesh vary sharply across South Asia, with 66 percent of Pakistanis and 56 percent of Sri Lankans holding a favourable view of the country, compared with about one in four Indians.

Perceptions of Bangladesh have shifted since Pew's 2024 survey. Favorable views in Sri Lanka rose by nine percentage points, while in India, they fell by ten points. The proportion of respondents in both countries who did not offer an opinion also decreased significantly. Data for Pakistan's views on Bangladesh in 2024 was not available for comparison.

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Compared with Pew's 2024 survey, favourability towards Bangladesh rose by nine percentage points in Sri Lanka but fell by 10 points in India.

Religious identity appears to play a role in Indian perspectives, with 41 percent of Indian Muslims holding a favorable view of Bangladesh compared to 23 percent of Indian Hindus. Meanwhile, Bangladeshis' views of their neighbors have also evolved. Favorable opinions towards India decreased by 15 percentage points, though 42 percent still view India positively. Conversely, favorable views of Pakistan increased from 40 percent in 2024 to 54 percent.

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Religious identity also appears to influence Indian views of Bangladesh. About 41 percent of Indian Muslims expressed a favourable view, compared with 23 percent of Indian Hindus.