A recent global study conducted by the Pew Research Center highlights a distinct contrast in how India views the international role of the United States compared to nearly all other surveyed middle-income nations. While overwhelming majorities in most developing and emerging countries believe that Washington frequently interferes in the internal affairs of other nations, India emerges as a notable outlier where less than half of the population shares this sentiment.
Detailed Breakdown of Indian Public Opinion:
According to the findings from the 2026 Global Attitudes Survey which gathered responses from over 42,000 adults across 36 countries only 47% of Indian adults stated that the U.S. interferes in other countries’ affairs “a great deal” or “a fair amount.” Meanwhile, 30% expressed the opposite view, and a substantial 23% chose not to answer. Even among those expressing an opinion, India remains well below the levels recorded globally, making it the sole exception among 17 surveyed middle-income nations.
Global and Domestic Comparisons:
Across the broader spectrum of middle-income countries, perceptions of American interventionism are pervasive. In 12 of the 17 nations evaluated, roughly 75% or more of adults perceived U.S. interference, with Thailand recording the highest proportion at 81%.
In a striking domestic comparison, the survey revealed that 83% of Americans believe their own country interferes abroad nearly double the percentage registered in India. Bipartisan majorities in the U.S., encompassing both Democrats and Republicans, concurred on this perspective, marking a rare point of agreement across the American political divide on international affairs.
Demographic Trends and Broader Foreign Policy Views:
The survey also examined demographic nuances, noting that younger adults particularly in Latin America and men across several surveyed countries were more inclined to perceive foreign interference. Globally, the broader dataset paints a more critical picture of U.S. foreign policy, with a median of 63% across 36 countries stating that America does not contribute to global peace and stability, and only 32% believing the U.S. accounts for the interests of other nations in its policy-making.
