India country profile
How do New Zealanders view India?
In this country profile, we look at the latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples research to gain an understanding of how New Zealanders feel about India.
Importance to New Zealand’s future:
India is seen as the third most important country in Asia to New Zealand’s future, after China and Japan.
Defence and security relations:
New Zealanders consider India to be the fifth most important Asian partner to work with when it comes to security and defence.
“They have a growing economy and we have many more Indian people migrating to NZ.”
40-49 years, male, NZ European and other European, Canterbury
Influence over New Zealand
New Zealanders believe that of the countries of Asia only China and Japan have more influence over New Zealand than India. China is still expected to be the most influential in 10-to-20 years’ time, and India is expected to overtake Japan as the second most influential.
Friend or threat?
India is seen by more than half of New Zealanders as a friend:
• 52 percent of New Zealanders regard India as a friend, with eight percent considering it a close friend.
• Only six percent see it as a threat.
“I think they are an underrated international player. [India’s] culture and history is extremely interesting and their political power has lots to offer in the coming years if given the chance.”
20-24 years, female, European, Manawatū-Wanganui
Trust in major powers to act responsibly
We asked New Zealanders how much trust they have in key world and regional powers to act responsibly in the world:
• 20 percent of New Zealanders express high or very high trust in India to act responsibly in the world, while 21 percent express low or very low trust levels.
“Vast country of geographic differences [and] rich history; always thought it [is a] country I would like to visit.”
50-59 years, male, European, Manawatū-Wanganui
“I’m half Indian and yet I know nothing about the country my ancestors are from, I’d love to know more.”
20-24 years, female, European and Indian, Auckland
Travel
• 26 percent of respondents are interested in traveling to India in the future.
• Of the 58 percent of New Zealanders who have visited or traveled to Asia, 20 percent have been to India, making it the seventh most visited country in the region.
Download the India country profile
pdf, 2.57 MB
The Foundation's Research Programme commissions studies that support informed public conversations about New Zealand’s relationship with Asia. We also support the next generation of scholars through our Foundation Research Grants.
Our Asia in Focus programme provides expert analysis on on Asia and New Zealand-Asia relations.
