18% drop in confidence of Indians in US leadership

There has been an 18 per cent points drop in confidence by Indians in the US leadership since President Donald Trump assumed office, according to a new survey in 37 countries.

India is one of the countries that looks on the US President most favourably, 40 per cent of respondents had confidence in him compared with 58 per cent for former President Barack Obama, according to the Pew Research Centre.

The findings come despite concerted efforts by Mr Trump to build relationships with world leaders.

On Monday, he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House and agreed to strengthen the Indo-US economic partnership in a way that results in a win-win for the two major economies, while amicably working on resolving differences.

The survey found that just 22 per cent of those interviewed outside the US expressed confidence in Mr Trump to do the right thing, compared with 64 per cent who had similar confidence in the late stages of Mr Obama’s administration, the survey said.

However, the survey found that Russians’ attitudes toward the US have improved since Mr Trump took office.In only two of 37 countries in the survey did Mr Trump fare better than Obama. The two countries are Russia and Israel.Elsewhere, though, and with remarkable speed, Mr Trump’s presidency has taken a toll on the US’ image abroad.

Trump himself has fared even worse: A median 22 per cent are confident that Trump will do the right thing in global affairs, down from 64 per cent who had confidence in Obama.