What does this indicate about Indian attitudes towards the upcoming US elections? Indians are among the most suspicious of change brought about by either a McCain or Obama presidency. Basically, current American policies relevant to India are seen as overwhelmingly positive.

This is buttressed by some of the survey’s other findings. Indians have a 66 per cent favourability rating of the US, behind only South Korea and Poland among the countries polled. More significantly, India is also one of only four countries where people have higher approval ratings of the US than of Americans (the others are Nigeria, China and Mexico).

The predominant causes for this goodwill appear to be the potential benefits of economic and commercial cooperation with the US and an appreciation of the American-led global economic order. At 41 per cent, Indians are by far the most positive about US economic influence. India is also the second most pro-trade country, with 90 per cent of people saying it is good (behind only Nigeria). And at 87 per cent, Indians are the most optimistic of any people on the personal benefits of trade. More surprisingly, Indians are by some margin the most good-willed towards foreigners buying domestic companies (59 per cent).

To a lesser degree, Indian goodwill towards the US is reinforced by relative agreement with the current American leadership on political issues. Other than African states, Mexico and some formal US allies, India has the largest percentage of people who consider the US a partner (40 per cent). Indians are more accepting of a partnership with the US than many of its formal allies, including Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Argentina. Surprisingly, given the anti-American rhetoric of the Indian chattering classes, more urban Indians think US influence in their country is beneficial (34 per cent), than those who perceive it as detrimental (25 per cent). Other than Nigeria, India is also the only country where the majority of those polled believe US efforts in Iraq will succeed.

... contd.