Sri Lanka is India's Best Friend

Sri Lanka stands out as the country with the most favorable view of India globally, according to a recent survey by the US-based Pew Research Center. The study found that a significant 79% of Sri Lankans hold a positive opinion of India, while only 11% expressed an unfavorable view.

This contrasts sharply with Pakistan, which emerged as the country with the most unfavorable view of India. In Pakistan, merely 7% of the population holds a positive opinion of India, according to the same report. The survey, which polled opinions in 36 countries, aimed to gauge global perceptions of India.

Globally, the Pew Research Center's findings indicate a mixed reception for India. Overall, 45% of respondents across the 36 countries surveyed expressed a favorable view of India, while 41% held an unfavorable opinion. Notably, the report also highlighted a decline in favorable views towards India among Americans, with 50% of Americans now holding an unfavorable opinion.

Compared to the previous year (2024), the percentage of Sri Lankans holding a favorable view of India has increased by 14%. The report underscores that a majority of Sri Lankans recognize India as a true friend, reinforcing the strong positive sentiment observed in the survey results.