Thrilled to share new findings from the 2020 Indian American Attitudes Survey, joint w/ Devesh Kapur and @MilanV!
This time we look at how Indian Americans view India. Summarizing some key findings below on politics and policy attitudes of Indian Americans
This time we look at how Indian Americans view India. Summarizing some key findings below on politics and policy attitudes of Indian Americans


49% of Indian Americans rate Modi's performance favorably. But there are stark differences in support for Modi by religion, with Muslim Indian Americans significantly less likely to rate him favorably:
We asked respondents their views on key Indian political actors. The BJP receives the highest rating (57); the Congress Party (44) rates below the RSS (46). Rahul Gandhi receives the lowest rating (38), even lower than how people rated Trump (37)
Views on political actors in India is a function of American partisanship. BJP and Modi supporters are more likely to be Republicans. Congress supporters are more likely to be Democrats.
Anecdotal narratives say that Indian Americans are more liberal in the US and less so in India. We find support for this in our data. For a similar set of policies, Indian Americans have more liberal opinions on issues in America and more conservative opinions on issues in India:
Finally, how do respondents view majoritarianism? Hindus and non-Hindus agree that white supremacy is a threat
in the United States. But they significantly diverge on the threat posed by Hindu majoritarianism in India:
in the United States. But they significantly diverge on the threat posed by Hindu majoritarianism in India:
Our report based on these findings (and more!) is now live:
https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/02/09/how-do-indian-americans-view-india-results-from-2020-indian-american-attitudes-survey-pub-83800
We owe a big thanks to @_JonathanKay and @tobin_hansen for all their help.
Please send us all your feedback and questions!
https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/02/09/how-do-indian-americans-view-india-results-from-2020-indian-american-attitudes-survey-pub-83800
We owe a big thanks to @_JonathanKay and @tobin_hansen for all their help.
Please send us all your feedback and questions!