Pew Research Survey Reveals Shifting Public Sentiment and Rising Regional Tensions Across South Asia

A new study by the Washington-based Pew Research Center reveals significant shifts in public perception across South Asia, with India’s favorability in Bangladesh dropping by 15 percentage points since 2024. According to the research, only 25 percent of Indians hold a positive view of Bangladesh, a stark contrast to the sentiment in other neighboring nations.

The data indicates that Pakistan and Sri Lanka maintain notably warmer views toward Bangladesh, with 66 percent of Pakistanis and 56 percent of Sri Lankans expressing positive perceptions. Conversely, the report highlights deep-seated regional tensions, with a majority of respondents in both Bangladesh and Pakistan identifying India as their primary security threat.

In Bangladesh, public sentiment toward India has soured, with 51 percent of respondents expressing an unfavorable view, while 42 percent remain positive. This marks a 15 percent decline in positive sentiment compared to the findings of the 2024 survey. Participation levels in the current survey were higher than in previous years, with only 7 percent of respondents declining to share their views, down from 24 percent in the prior assessment.

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The survey also tracks reciprocal attitudes across the region. While 63 percent of Sri Lankans view India as a key ally, favorable perceptions of Bangladesh among Sri Lankans have increased by 9 percent. Meanwhile, 22 percent of Pakistanis and 18 percent of Sri Lankans hold an unfavorable view of Bangladesh. Among Indian respondents, 48 percent reported an unfavorable view of their neighbor, reflecting a 10 percent increase in negative sentiment compared to earlier data.

Pew Research conducted the study to analyze the evolving geopolitical attitudes among adults in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The findings underscore a marked transformation in regional dynamics, suggesting that public opinion regarding cross-border relations has shifted considerably across the four nations throughout the past year.