Asia is, undoubtedly, being viewed as the most populous region, with some of the world’s fastest growing economies. The region promises to become the global nexus of commercial, cultural and geopolitical activity.
According to a finding of the Pew Research Center survey of 15,313 people in 10 Asia-Pacific nations and the US conducted from April 6 to May 27, 2015, Asia-Pacific public tends to view their regional neighbours in a positive light despite the historical and territorial frictions. However, results show limited confidence in the region’s most prominent national leaders when it comes to their handling of international issues.
Roughly half - 51% - see India in a positive light but Japan tops the list as the most favoured with a median of 71%, with positive views exceeding negative sentiment by more than five-to-one. A median of 57% also voice a favourable opinion of China.
The most intense anti-India views are in Pakistan. In Pakistan, 56% see India very unfavourably. In comparison, 63% of Americans hold a favourable opinion of India.
However, the younger generation of Asians is quite enamoured with India. About seven-in-ten Vietnamese ages 18 to 29 (72%) have a favorable view of the world’s second-most-populous and fastest-growing large economy, as do 67% of young Japanese. This compares with 77% of young Americans who see India favourably. The respondents most critical of India are older Pakistanis (80% unfavorable). These are people who experienced, or whose parents experienced, the traumatic 1947 partition of India and Pakistan.
Given India’s fractious relationship with Pakistan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – just 7% of Pakistanis, most of whom are Muslims, have confidence in Modi. Roughly half of Pakistanis (52%) have no confidence in Modi at all. And his lowest backing is among older Pakistanis (64% no confidence).
But, overall, Modi suffers from a lack of recognition. A quarter or more of respondents in six of the nine countries surveyed voiced no opinion about him as a leader.
Asia-Pacific public has more mixed views about each other’s leaders, in part due to their lack of familiarity with them. A median of 47% have confidence in Chinese President Xi Jinping to do the right thing regarding world affairs. A median of 43% have confidence in Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s handling of international issues, with more than twice as many expressing support.
Though just 39% voice confidence in Modi’s role on the world stage. The share with positive sentiment about Modi is again larger than those with negative views, but a relatively high proportion of respondents voice no opinion, a testimony to Modi’s low public profile in the region.
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