India poll 2013 reveals Indians are optimistic about economy, see Pakistan as major threat and think corruption is holding us back

India Poll 2013 a collaboration between the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the Australia India Institute conducted a survey on the attitudes of Indian citizens towards their future in the world. Here are some findings of the survey.

As Lok Sabha election 2014 draws near and politicians in India are making their moves to garner votes amidst political, economic and social turmoil in India, a survey conducted by India Poll 2013 makes the thought process of people in India a little clearer.

The India Poll 2013 is a collaboration between the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the Australia India Institute. The survey analyses the attitudes of Indian citizens towards their future in the world.

India Poll 2013 reports the results of a nationally representative opinion survey that was conducted by asking 1233 adults in India about various issues that are affecting the country. There were face-to-face interviews conducted between 30 August and 15 October 2012. It is a collaboration between the Lowy Institute and the Australia India Institute, with additional support from the MacArthur Foundation.

• The survey finds that 74% people have a positive attitude towards the future of the Indian economy and its prospects.

• 56% people who were surveyed felt they were better off economically than they were 5 years ago.

• USA was ranked the most favoured nation followed by Singapore while Pakistan got the lowest rank.

• 94% Indians feel see Pakistan as a threat with reasons like the Pakistani army sees India as its enemy, Pakistan has nuclear weapons and it claims sovereignty over Kashmir as top reasons for the dislike.

• China according to 83% people surveyed was a threat with reasons such as mistrust, China’s possession of nuclear weapons, competition for resources in third countries, China’s efforts to strengthen its relations with other countries in the Indian Ocean region, and the China-India border dispute.

• 70% of Indians surveyed feel democracy is the best form of government. 94% of the people surveyed felt corruption was a problem facing the country.

• 92% people feel corruption has increased in India in the last five years.

• 80% of the people surveyed felt anti-corruption campaigners had made the country a better place.

Source: DNA