Indians want the government of India to adopt an “aggressive stance” in “disputed” Jammu and Kashmir, according to a survey by the American think tank, the Pew Research Center.
The survey, available on the Center’s website and titled ‘Three Years In, Modi Remains Very Popular’, said that more than 60 percent of its respondents believe that the Government of India (GoI) should use more military force in Jammu and Kashmir.
“When it comes to dealing with the disputed border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian public favors an aggressive stance. A 63% majority believes the government should be using more military force. Few say India should use less force or even the same amount as it is using now,” the survey said.
It also said that 64 percent Indians had a “very unfavourable” view of Pakistan, which was a nine percent higher result as compared to 2016.
“This was up by nine percent compared to last year,” Bruce Stokes, Global Director of the Economic Attitudes of the Pew Research Center, said during an interaction with reporters at the American Center here. “However, those living in southern India, far from the India-Pakistan border, are decidedly less negative about Pakistan.” Only 36 percent of those living in the south express a ‘very unfavourable’ opinion of Pakistan, compared with 68 percent in the east, 69 percent in the north and 77 percent in the west. “[In] southern India 30 percent have a favourable view of Pakistan, versus just 6 percent in the north and east and 3 percent in the west,” the survey said.
Conducted between February 21 and March this year, the survey sought the views of 2,464 people across India, in both urban and rural areas.
According to the survey, more than eight in 10 Indians said economic conditions were “good” in India, despite the GoI’s decision to scrap high-value currency notes in November last year.
Pew survey says Indians favour ‘Aggressive Stance’ in Kashmir
