Sri Lanka Is as South Asia’s Most Favored Nation

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has emerged as the most positively viewed country in South Asia, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center that examined public attitudes across the region.

The research, surveyed public opinion in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, asking respondents how they viewed neighboring countries in the region. The study found that Sri Lanka was the only country among those surveyed to receive more favorable than unfavorable ratings from all three foreign publics.

According to the findings, around half or more of respondents in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan expressed positive views of Sri Lanka, while a third or fewer held negative perceptions. Pew Research noted that Sri Lanka stood apart from other regional nations by maintaining a consistently positive image across all countries surveyed.

The report highlighted sharp differences in regional perceptions of other South Asian countries. While India received overwhelmingly positive ratings in Sri Lanka, it was viewed far less favorably in Pakistan and received mixed ratings in Bangladesh. Pakistan was viewed positively by many respondents in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but received very low favorability ratings in India.

Researchers also found that Sri Lanka's popularity has improved over time. Favorability toward Sri Lanka among Indians increased by six percentage points since 2024, while positive perceptions across the wider region remained strong.

The survey additionally revealed that Sri Lankans hold particularly favorable views of India, with 79% expressing a positive opinion of the neighboring country. India was also named as Sri Lanka's most important ally by 63% of Sri Lankan respondents.

Pew Research conducted interviews with 2,513 people in Sri Lanka, 3,566 in India, 1,044 in Bangladesh and 1,039 in Pakistan between February and May 2026. The study forms part of a broader examination of regional relationships and perceptions among South Asian nations.