A Pew Research Center survey found that 91% [1] of Pakistani adults hold an unfavorable view of India.
This data highlights the enduring tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The scale of the negative sentiment suggests significant hurdles for diplomatic normalization and people-to-people engagement in the region.
The findings stem from the Global Attitudes Survey, which polled adults across Pakistan to gauge their perceptions of foreign nations. According to the results, the vast majority of respondents expressed a negative outlook toward India [1]. This sentiment reflects a long-standing history of conflict and territorial disputes that continue to shape public consciousness in Pakistan.
Public opinion in the region often mirrors the official state narratives regarding security and sovereignty. The high percentage of unfavorable views [1] indicates that the geopolitical rivalry remains a central pillar of how Pakistani citizens perceive their neighbor.
While the survey provides a quantitative snapshot of public sentiment, experts said that such views are often tied to historical grievances. The disparity in perception between the two nations continues to complicate efforts to establish stable bilateral ties.
Analysts said that the prevalence of these views is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader trend of nationalism. The data provides a baseline for understanding the social environment in which any future diplomatic negotiations must take place.
“91% of Pakistani adults hold an unfavorable view of India.”
The overwhelming negative perception of India among Pakistanis underscores the difficulty of achieving a diplomatic breakthrough. When nearly the entire adult population holds an unfavorable view, governments face immense domestic pressure to maintain hardline stances, making compromise politically risky for leadership in Islamabad.
