Anti-Americanism nearly nil in India


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Anti-Americanism nearly nil in India

by CR Jayachandran

New Delhi, June 24, 2005

Even as anti-Americanism in Europe, Middle East and Asia continues to surge as a result of the US war in Iraq, India is the only country which has a positive opinion of the Bush administration.

The latest survey by the Washington-based Pew Global Attitudes Project, conducted among nearly 17,000 people in the United States and 15 other countries from April 20-May 31, has revealed that America's image is strongest in India.

"Fully 71 per cent in India express a positive opinion of the United States, compared with 54 per cent three years ago," the survey of 15 countries conducted by the centre says.

The survey found that overall opinions about the US improved over the past two years in countries including Indonesia and Pakistan, although attitudes about the United States largely remains negative in the Muslim world.

The war in Iraq continues to draw broad international opposition, and there is scant optimism that the elections in that country this past January will foster stability. Even the American public now has diminished expectations that the January elections held in Iraq will lead to a more stable situation there.

But, the survey shows that the United States and India are the only countries in which pluralities believe Saddam Hussein's removal from power has made the world a safer place.

Also three quarters of the Indian public also believe that India made the right decision in not sending troops to Iraq.

"Solid majorities in India also view Americans as inventive (86 per cent), hard-working (81 per cent) and honest (58 per cent). Indians (71 per cent) also showed a very high regard for the American people and expressed a positive opinion of the US," the survey reveals.

India is one of only three countries surveyed in which a majority (63 per cent) said the US pays a great deal or a fair amount of attention to their country's interests when making international policy decisions; 59 per cent in Indonesia and 53 per cent in China feel the same way.

US policies like support for democracy in West Asia and aid efforts after December 26 Indian Ocean tsunami have been well-received.

According to Andrew Kohut, Director of the Pew Research Center for the People global opinion about the US, has been negative since the war in Iraq started. That has continued despite efforts by the Bush administration to improve America's image.

One exception is Indonesia, where America's tsunami relief efforts have brought people to look more favorably upon the US, he said.

Canadians are becoming increasingly negative, with most labeling Americans as "rude, greedy and violent," he added.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1410195,0008.htm

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the rating doesnt suprise me because we give them so many jobs. people are suggested to learn english in india if you are wanting to be in a business oriented career.

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the rating doesnt suprise me because we give them so many jobs.  people are suggested to learn english in india if you are wanting to be in a business oriented career.

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Same point I was going to make. :happy:

-Ax

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In related news:

'China's image better than US'

June 23, 2005 17:28 IST

The United States' image is so tattered overseas two years after the Iraq invasion that communist China is viewed more favorably than the US in many countries, including long-time Western European allies, an international poll released Thursday found.

The poor image persists even though the Bush administration has been promoting freedom and democracy throughout the world in recent months and has sent hundreds of millions of dollars in relief aid to Indian Ocean nations hit by the devastating December 26 tsunami.

"It's amazing when you see the European public rating the United States so poorly, especially in comparison with China," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center for the People?& the Press, which surveyed public opinion in 16 countries, including the United States.

The war in Iraq: complete coverage

In Britain, which prides itself on its "special relationship" with Washington, almost two-thirds of Britons, 65 percent, saw China favorably, compared with 55 percent who held a positive view of the United States. In France, 58 percent had an upbeat view of China, compared with 43 percent who felt that way about the US The results were nearly the same in Spain and the Netherlands.

The United States' favorability rating was lowest among three Muslim nations which are also US allies -- Turkey, Pakistan and Jordan -- here only about one-fifth of those polled viewed the US in a positive light.

Only India and Poland were more upbeat about the United States, while Canadians were just as likely to see China favorably as they were the US

rediff

But then again, what is anti-american these days? If you ask Bush, it's not agreeing with him.

Oh noes111 Half of the USA is anti-USA!

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I don't think 100% - 71% = nil, even if you take into account the undecided...

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The title of this article could have easily been 29% of India has a neutral or negative view of the United States.

It's a glass "half full, half empty"-type thing.

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Yea, but still I don't usually equate nil to mean 1/3. :p

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The real story, however, is that support for the United States in India has risen 31% in the last three years. That would be an accurate thread title.

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I know from cnn & bbc news and tv news - that of lately -the Moslim Terror groups are active in India, and also Iran and Pakinstan - both are going strong on nuclear armament &developement. this should concern New Delhi oficials and leaders all over India.

the Moslim neighbouring countries are going over a change to Monarvhy(as of results of electoin in Iran). terefore - it is only natural, that India is mostly for the force that is acting strong against Moslim terror groups- namely USA.

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the rating doesnt suprise me because we give them so many jobs.  people are suggested to learn english in india if you are wanting to be in a business oriented career.

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Its got nothing to do with jobs, more to do with terror and America's passion for liberty. I had said this in a thread even before this was published. We in India feel [Pundits on TV say so lol] we've been sorrounded by [translated] "Circle of evil"

and they are...

Pakisthan - provides "moral support" to terrorists in kashmir + basically a terrorist state

China - Communist regime + they dont like the fact that we gave refuge to Dalai lama of Tibet

Bangladesh - supports and fund alphabet soup seperatist groups in north east + provides support to pakisthani agents on the east in the name islamic brotherhood + economic migration + society where some [islamic extremists] belive in thowing acid on women face if they show it in public among other things.

Burma-Myanmar - Military Junta opresses liberty there. Many here think if statue of liberty were a person it'd be Aung san Sui Ki of Burma.

Srilanka [Elam]

Terrorist group LTTE assasinated Rajiv Gandhi [former Indian Prime Minister] and since then theres constant "friction" with them.

In this neighborhood you have India which happens to be the largest secular democracy in the world. Ok there might be lots of things wrong with the system [red tape, corruption] but the fundamentals of free speech, right to... etc are all defended fanatically by the society and the media.

So Its thought here that US proably is the only power that can reign in communist/Islamist regimes around us.

India also has a Hindu major :ninja: ity and they are not fans of Muslim extremism.

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Very True. Its more like "we told you so". India was the first country or so to sign counter terror agreemnt/'bilateral deal with US. That was way before 911 of embasssy bombings in Africa.

Edited by guru
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the only thing that suprises me is that europeans favor another communist country over the u.s, hey if they want U.S.S.R oppression more power to them.

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the only thing that suprises me is that europeans favor another communist country over the u.s, hey if they want U.S.S.R oppression more power to them.

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That surprises you? With the excpetion of a short period around the World Wars, Europeans have always hated Americans (well rather their governments).

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not that they hate us more or less that they hate us more than a communist super power right after they were freed from the U.S.S.R hanging over them.

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