Foreign policy has long been considered the domain of India’s elite, rarely discussed among the general public. However, a recent survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung India office aims to understand how ordinary Indians perceive Europe and Germany.
In this edition of The Gist, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, co-director of Lokniti-CSDS, and Dr. Adrian Haack, director of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung India office, shared some intriguing findings from the study.
One of the most striking results was that Indians overwhelmingly consider Russia to be India’s best friend, a sentiment consistent over the years.
Interestingly, while Russia holds the title of India’s closest ally, the United States is seen as the country that can help India become a superpower. This reveals a pragmatic distinction in Indian minds between traditional friendships and future aspirations.
The German education system, strong industrial base and economic and strategic ties with India is recognised, but the study found that while many Indians recognise German brands like BMW, others, such as Mercedes-Benz, are less known. This suggests that brand perception varies significantly across demographics and regions.
A significant challenge in India-Europe relations is language. But while the UK remains a favoured destination for education and migration due to English proficiency, Germany is not far behind. Surprisingly, the language barrier does not deter many Indians, indicating a willingness to learn new languages.
Another key finding was India’s cultural confidence. A large number of respondents believe that Indian culture is superior to Western cultures, yet this sentiment is not accompanied by hostility or disrespect. This suggests a balanced national pride rather than cultural isolationism.
The survey also highlighted the evolving perception of China. While traditionally neither a friend nor a foe in Indian minds, recent border tensions have led to a more negative outlook.
In an interesting twist, while most Indians apparently see as their relationship with China as the most hostile, China also tops the list of nations which could emerge as a global leader (with 24 per cent of respondents) followed by Russia at 13 per cent, and the UK and India tying for third place at 8 per cent.
