India is the 6th most popular country in US

India is the sixth most popular country in the US, with 69 per cent of Americans having a positive image about it, while Pakistan finds itself among the 10 most unpopular nations, according to a new poll.

Of 22 countries rated in Gallup's 2008 World Affairs survey, Canada, Great Britain, Germany and Japan win favour with at least 80 per cent of Americans.

The top four is followed by Israel at 71 per cent.

While India ties with France at the sixth spot for the positive image, the opposite is true of Pakistan which is viewed favourably only by 22 per cent of those polled and negatively by 72 per cent.

The February 11-14 survey shows that 73 per cent of those polled perceive Afghanistan negatively, while the number is 77 per cent for Iraq and 88 per cent for Iran.

About 6 in 10 Americans have a favourable view of Egypt, South Korea and Mexico, Gallup USA has said.

Ten countries are viewed unfavorably by at least half of Americans. Of these, Iran, North Korea, the Palestinian Authority, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cuba are viewed more negatively than positively by a greater than 2-to-1 margin.

Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and China have somewhat more moderately negative images.

The poll shows an interesting political divide of America as well with Israel, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq all viewed more favourably by Republicans than by Democrats.

France, Mexico, China, Venezuela, and Cuba are all viewed more favourably by Democrats than by Republicans.

Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,007 adults, aged 18 and older.

The maximum margin of sampling error is three percentage points.

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/mar/11india.htm