India retains 4th rank in optimism, 6 of 10 citizens believe country is moving in right direction: Survey

In the latest April wave of the Ipsos What Worries the World survey, India has retained its 4th position in global optimism, with 62% of Indian citizens expressing hope for a better future. The data reflects continued positivity in India, matching results from the previous wave, and highlights the growing confidence in several global south markets.
India is joined at the top by fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries, with Singapore (85%) leading the pack, followed by Malaysia (70%), Indonesia (67%), India (62%), and Thailand (55%). Argentina also featured strongly, tying with Thailand at 55%.
Amit Adarkar, CEO of Ipsos India, provided insight into the findings, emphasizing India's strategic position and internal strengths. 'We have the global advantage of being geographically away from both Ukraine and Gaza, the epicentres of wars. India and the other global south markets have largely been driven by domestic consumption and domestic economy. And India also has the demographic dividend, leading to economic growth.'
He added, however, that emerging challenges were not yet reflected in this survey wave. 'This survey was conducted before the Trump tariffs were announced (with a 90 day pause to reciprocal tariff) and before the Pahalgam terror strike took place. These events have heightened anxiety and fear among citizens which have not been captured in the current wave. India being a strong economy and a resilient market, it will continue to stay on grid. But the unrest at the borders and the looming reciprocal tariffs by the Trump govt could lead to a strong impact on India's fortunes.'
Despite the buoyant outlook among the global south, the report reveals rising global pessimism, particularly in countries such as Peru, South Korea, and France. These nations showed a more negative outlook about the future, in stark contrast to the optimism seen across much of Asia and Latin America.
One key finding from the survey is the prominence of inflation as the top issue globally and within India. According to Adarkar, 'Ipsos' What Worries the World survey tracks public opinion on the most important social and political issues across 29 countries today. And inflation continues to impact both global and local citizens with high cost of living, as a consequence of global economic slowdown, wars in Gaza and Ukraine and now with tough measures by the Trump regime on the anvil, in terms of job cuts and reciprocal tariffs, we are bracing for tougher times ahead.'
He further stated, 'With the terror strike in Pahalgam and India's tough call, the citizens are likely to bear the brunt of these new developments, with increase in prices of essential commodities and slowdown in inbound travel of foreign tourists, impacting the economy.'
Adarkar concluded with a recommendation for policymakers: 'Govts should focus on their local worries to provide reprieve to citizens, as these concerns weigh heavily on them.'
Survey Methodology
The 29-country Global Advisor survey was conducted between March 21 and April 4, 2025, via the Ipsos Online Panel system, polling 25,219 adults aged between 16 and 74, depending on country-specific ranges. In India, around 2,200 individuals were surveyed, with approximately 1,800 face-to-face interviews and 400 online.
The sample in India represents the urban population, including socio-economic classes A, B, and C across metros and Tier 1–3 towns. The findings were weighted to reflect recent census demographics and are indicative of the views of India's more connected population segment.
Ipsos, one of the world's largest market research companies, operates in 90 markets with over 20,000 employees, offering insights into global opinions, behaviours, and trends.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Mint

33 minutes ago

• Mint

Operation Sindhu: India's special flight brings back 280 more Indians from Iran; govt commits to help Nepal, Sri Lanka

With the tensions escalating in the Middle East following the conflict between Israel and Iran, a special flight under Operation Sindhu brought back over 280 Indian nationals on Sunday. According to the details, the Mahan Air flight (W50071A), carrying mostly students and pilgrims, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Over 200 students from Jammu and Kashmir were among the passengers, while others were pilgrims who had travelled to Iran for Ziarat. After the passengers stepped off the aircraft, many of them held Indian flags and expressed relief and gratitude for the safe return. Earlier on Wednesday, India launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate its citizens from Iran amid the rising tensions between Tehran and Israel. Also on Friday, two Mahan Air flights carrying 1,000 Indian students, including 500 Kashmiris, from Iran's Mashhad landed in Delhi. A third flight also landed on Saturday. In a diplomatic outreach to its neighbours, the Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday stated that it will help evacuating the Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals from Iran. After both nations requested India's help in evacuating their citizens, the Indian Embassy agreed to assist Nepal and Sri Lanka. The embassy also released emergency helpline numbers for Nepalese and Sri Lankan nationals stuck in Iran. 'On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy's evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover Citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,' Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X. It added, 'The citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka may urgently reach out to the Embassy, either on the Telegram channel or over the emergency contact numbers. +989010144557; +989128109115; +989128109109' These strikes were targeted at uranium enrichment plants at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Confirming the attacks chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, US Gen Dan Caine, briefed the press stating Operation Midnight Hammer involved 125 US military aircraft including seven B-2 stealth bombers. Following the US strikes, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi calls the US attack on their uclear sites 'unforgivable' and said Iran has 'to respond based on our legitimate right to self-defence'.

Time of India

33 minutes ago

• Time of India

Israel-Iran conflict: PIB debunks claims of US using Indian airspace for Iran strikes; calls them ‘fake'

NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Sunday dismissed social media rumours suggesting that the United States used Indian airspace to carry out airstrikes on Iran during 'Operation Midnight Hammer. ' The government agency categorically stated that these claims are false. 'Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE. Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer,' PIB said in an official statement. The clarification comes in the wake of multiple online posts alleging that India facilitated the US strikes, which targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. India has maintained a cautious stance in the conflict and has not offered its airspace for any military operations related to the ongoing confrontation between the US, Iran, and Israel.

The Hindu

34 minutes ago

• The Hindu

INS Tamal, India's last imported warship, to be commissioned on July 1

The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest stealth multi-role frigate INS Tamal on July 1 at Kaliningrad in Russia. This will be the last warship of Indian Navy to have been built outside India and the eighth in the series of Krivak class frigates inducted from Russia over the past two decades. The ceremony will be presided over by Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh in the presence of several high-ranking Indian and Russian government and defence officials. INS Tamal has been built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and is the last warship to be inducted from a foreign source, in line with the Government of India's impetus on 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' initiatives. India, as part of the broader contract for Tushil class, is also building two similar frigates called the Triput class at Goa Shipyard Limited with transfer of technology and design assistance from the Russian side. By the conclusion of this series of ships, Indian Navy will be operating 10ships with similar capabilities and commonality in equipment, weapon and sensor fit over four different classes. The ship has 26 percent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land. The vessel has significant upgrades in its arsenal in comparison to its predecessors. The crew, comprising of over 250 personnel have undergone rigorous ashore as well as afloat training in extremely challenging winter conditions of St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad in Russia. INS Tamal has successively completed extensive sea trials undertaken over three months, proving its systems, weapons and sensors. The 125m long, 3900-ton warship, packs a lethal punch as it features an impressive blend of Indian and Russian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. The ship's new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and greater stability characteristics. The number of Made-in-India systems have more than doubled to 33. Upon commissioning, INS Tamal will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command.