A recent Pew Research Center opinion survey across 36 countries has presented a negative picture of India’s international image, with the strongest unfavorable sentiment recorded in Pakistan. The survey, based on responses from more than 42,000 people collected from February to May this year, highlighted negative views of New Delhi in several nearby and important countries. The report was published on August 16.

In Bangladesh, 51% of respondents expressed an unfavorable view of India, compared with 42% who held a favorable opinion. The source links the result to recent strains in Bangladesh-India relations and says India’s sheltering of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina created fresh tension between Dhaka and New Delhi. In Malaysia, about 58% of respondents held negative views of India.

The survey also found divided or negative trends in some Western and Asian countries. Public opinion in the United States was described as almost evenly split on India, indicating no clear positive consensus. According to the report, India’s influence may be increasing globally, but New Delhi still faces a significant challenge in winning public support internationally.