India’s famous and vibrant cricketing rivalries often symbolise the intense yet friendly competition among South Asian nations.
Whether it’s in a match against Pakistan that the entire nation comes together for, or the momentary heat in a game with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Indians find it emotional. The post-match handshake has always captured the excitement and camaraderie that exists within the region. However, beyond the green pitch, a more complex and nuanced picture emerges.
A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that religious affiliations significantly influence how Indians view their South Asian neighbours and how they view us. The research was conducted in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Researchers were unable to question people in Pakistan.
It’s no news that historical events and religious perceptions have shaped India’s political scenario over the years. The study offers a deeper look into the regional dynamics and varying levels of tension, post the partition of British India. Whether geopolitical or religious, the conflict has shaped minds of how people of southern Asians are viewing their fellow South-Asian mates.
India And Its Likeability
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh both seem to have a positive view of India – their key neighbour. Around 65% of Sri Lankans find India favourable. From this, eight-in-ten Hindus expressed a positive opinion of India, compared with fewer than seven-in-ten Buddhists, Christians and Muslims.
This number in favour of India is less than Bangladesh, at 57%. The opinions vary by support for the ruling party at the time of the survey, the Bangladesh Awami League. The survey was conducted before former PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India this month. Supporters of her party are more likely than nonsupporters to view India favorably (71% vs. 49%).
Unclear Stance on Pakistan
The view on Pakistan has been towards a neutral tone rather than being positive. Sri Lankans and Bangladeshi’s both saw a similar trend in numbers of people who found Pakistan favourable, unfavourable and those who held a neutral stance.
India on the other hand, held a more clear and strong opinion. Over 60% Indians are unfavourable towards Pakistan and just 12% were favourable. Over 50% of people said they are “very” unfavourable.
The dislike in India and Pakistan has a history stretching over decades, since the partition. Indians have viewed Pakistan unfavourably since this research was first done in 2013. Only two-in-ten Indian adults expressed a favourable view of Pakistan at that time.
Indians who do not support the NDA are also more likely to have favourable views on Pakistan, than those who do. There is also a difference in religious background in how Indians view Pakistanis. The likelihood of having any opinion on Pakistan is twice as high among Indian Muslims (22%) as it is among Hindus (11%).
Comparative Views on Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
India’s attitudes towards Bangladesh is less polarised, with a significant portion of respondents remaining undecided. This may reflect Bangladesh’s relatively lower profile in Indian discourse compared to more prominent regional interactions.
On the contrary, perceptions of Sri Lanka on Bangladesh are more clearly defined, influenced by historical and political contexts. Almost half of Sri Lankan adults (47%) hold a favorable opinion of Bangladesh, as do about a third in India (35%). Overall, views of Bangladesh are more positive across India and Sri Lanka.
Conversely, India’s opinion on Sri Lanka is divided by political views. 46% Supporters of the current NDA government have favorable views of Sri Lanka vs 39%) non-supporters who favour Sri Lanka. The survey also took place before Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India in July.
A similar trend took place in Bangladesh too. Supporters of the former governing party were more likely to express a positive opinion of Sri Lanka. Education and religion played a role too. Bangladeshis with higher levels of education are more likely to say they have a favourable view of Sri Lanka. Higher number of Hindus (62%) in Bangladesh also said they view Sri Lanka favourably, compared with 44% of Muslims.
(The Pew Research Center survey was conducted between Jan. 5 – March 25, 2024 and the results could have changed in the current geopolitical scenario)
