New Delhi: Ahead of United States President Donald Trump’s visit to India, a survey by Pew Research, a US think tank, found that Indians’ confidence in Trump has grown in the past three years since he was elected as President. In 2016, only 14 per cent Indians had supported Trump, and now the numbers have shot up to 56 per cent.
The study, released in January, suggests that even though Trump is positively perceived by Indians, his policies aren’t regarded in the same light. This survey was conducted between 24 June and 2 October 2019 and was based on 2,476 adult respondents. Fifty six per cent of the Indians surveyed shared the confidence that Trump would do the “right thing regarding world affairs”.
This number is close to former US President Barack Obama’s ratings. At the time of his presidency, 58 per cent Indians were convinced of his handling of world affairs.
Trump more favourable than China
The Pew Research survey found that 48 per cent Indians disapproved of Trump’s policies on fees and tariffs on goods. Moreover, it suggested that BJP leaders are as likely to disapprove of Trump’s tariff policies, as Congress supporters.
In comparison to ties with China, the study found that 62 per cent Indians preferred having stronger ties with the US. At the same time, 61 per cent Indians maintained that China’s growing economy could negatively impact India.
According to the survey, “Perceptions of Trump are more positive in general in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa compared with Europe, though opinions vary across the countries surveyed in these regions.”
Indians also rated Trump ahead of other world leaders when it came to international relations. The leaders that were rated below Trump were Russian President Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
I don’t know what to make of such surveys. 99% of Indians are not likely to have any opinion of Trump or his trade policies, more than 50% may not have even heard of him.