China tops, India last, in list of 12 nations important to US: Poll

[EagleOne]

WASHINGTON: Seven out of 10 Americans say what happens in China is vitally important to the US, while for India it is just three out of 10, the latest Gallup opinion poll has said.

As a result, China is placed on the top of the list of 12 countries, and India at the bottom, while Afghanistan 6th, Pakistan 8th and Egypt 9th.

Russia, the other super power of the Cold War years, is a ranked a spot ahead of India.

Gallup asked Americans to rate the importance of countries in this way in February 2007.

Americans' views of Iraq's importance have shown the greatest change over the last four years, dropping to 52 per cent "vitally important" today from 70 per cent in 2007, when Iraq topped the list.

At that time, President George W Bush had just announced his "surge" strategy in Iraq in response to deteriorating conditions there, and his party had suffered significant losses in the 2006 midterm elections, partly as a result of the debate over Iraq.

Now, with American combat troops withdrawn from that country and attention shifted to Afghanistan and other hot spots around the world, Iraq has slipped to 5th place, Gallup said.

In 2007, India was again ranked last in the list of 12 countries, but at that time only 28 per cent of the Americans considered India as a vitally important country, as against 31 per cent now.

"Americans' views that events in China are vitally important to the US have increased by 12 percentage points since 2007, putting China where Iraq was four years ago," it said, adding the importance of China in the average American's eyes likely reflects continuing awareness of the economic influence of China on the US and world economies.



Read more: China tops, India last, in list of 12 nations important to US: Poll - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...US-Poll/articleshow/7467083.cms#ixzz1DZ7nsUTy

 

[JBH22]

In 2007, India was again ranked last in the list of 12 countries, but at that time only 28 per cent of the Americans considered India as a vitally important country, as against 31 per cent now.

Still waiting for goras approval or what? I'm happy we are not first on their list who knows what they can do Afghanistan,Pakistan are 6th and 8th important for them but just see their state

 

[LETHALFORCE]

Still waiting for goras approval or what? I'm happy we are not first on their list who knows what they can do Afghanistan,Pakistan are 6th and 8th important for them but just see their state

It's even better if we don't make this list.

 

[sandeepdg]

Yeah, we are better off on our own than being figured in such lists !

 

[EagleOne]

some joke about few US people

 

[Phenom]

The colonial days had played havoc with Indian mindset, even several generation after Independence, Indians are still looking for a pat in the back by the westerners. It's a sad but undeniable fact.

 

[p2prada]

Actually we shouldn't even be in the poll. Anything India does is inconsequential to the US as of today, be it economic or military policy.

The only reason why India is in the poll is only because we have a well publicized economy in the US media.

 

[EagleOne]

The colonial days had played havoc with Indian mindset, even several generation after Independence, Indians are still looking for a pat in the back by the westerners. It's a sad but undeniable fact.

does a survey meant for patting ?
its jst a opinion poll

 

[Oracle]

Ordinary Americans don't even know where their fries come from. So we should not take it seriously. But, nonetheless it was an opinion poll and a spot in the top 3 would have looked good.

 

[thakur_ritesh]

Is it really about the white man? Or has it to do with the status enjoyed by the US as the lone super power? When the ussr was the super power didn't we then want to hook on to the communists or was that also about the white man? Make your choice, but it is certainly not about the former!

What should occupy someone's list of priorities in a foreign policy?
Allies? Threats? Action theaters? Or perspective partners who you are not sure will make into an ally or not?

People rely on their knowledge based on what they read in print media or see on the television sets or see/read on the net and foreign policy covered by these mediums majorly surrounds on threats, action theaters and allies than on someone who you are not too sure about what to make of them, which is where india fits in for the US at the moment so it is completely understandable why india stands where it stands and all the better, and as is said in hindi, police wale kin a to dosti achi na dushmani and amreeka certainly happens to be the policewala of this world.

You can also be rest assured when asked quite a few of those interviewed wont even know if a country like india existed or not and where it is located if asked to locate on the world map and same with china if they were to be asked where it is located, and wont be surprised if that were to even happen with those 7 out of 10 who mentioned china.

Though what is surprising is that Afghanistan and Pakistan didn't make it to the top 5 states.

 

[Minghegy]

You can't afford the important position, it means more pressures and challenges.
India will collapse soon even it bearing half of pressures of China.

 

[warriorextreme]

lol..in some yahoo answer section i read some american guy was afraid because russia attacked georgia
he thought this georgia is one of states of USA
who gives importance to views of such people??

 

[Oracle]

/\/\/\ There actually is a state called Georgia in US. Read here!

 

[Blackwater]

some joke about few US people

It's true Americans are dumbest and there kids or people have no general knowledge about foreign countries. It's in there study system.They are only taught about america and america. My own cousins who are born and bred in america know little about India and south Asia. They still think India as dirty snakecharmer country. Look at any Hollywood movies, did they ever show something good about India. Asking american people is of no use.

 

[JBH22]

You can't afford the important position, it means more pressures and challenges.
India will collapse soon even it bearing half of pressures of China.

What's the important INTERNATIONAL challenge China is undertaking you could not even halt arms trade to Taiwan,have you been able to stop naval exercise in South China sea..its good to yap but then do acknowledge your limits...

 

[Blackwater]

It's true Americans are dumbest and there kids or people have no general knowledge about foreign countries. It's in there study system.They are only taught about america and America. My own cousins who are born and bred in America know little about India and south Asia, on the contrary we have been tought about political system of USA,Switzerland and UK in our high schools. My cousins who are in high schools in USA still thinks India as dirty snake charmer country. Look at any Hollywood movies, did they ever show something good about India.Forget Hollywood take any american tv documentary about India. 99% shows poor,nude,dirty slums kids. Asking american people is of no use.

 

[warriorextreme]

/\/\/\ There actually is a state called Georgia in US. Read here!

yeah but he thought russia attacked USA
thats funny
yeah he did not know that its a country too

 

[SHASH2K2]

Truth is that as of now India is neither friend or enemy of America . Given the IQ or lack of intrest in political matters a common Americans its quite expected . America is quite important country from Indian perspective but for a common Americans Countries like china and Pakistan will be more easier to remember due to kind of publicity they receive.

 

[EagleOne]

obama should stop asking people to compete with india

 

[SHASH2K2]

obama should stop asking people to compete with india

E1 if hew stop doing that I am sure even 5 % of Americans would be knowing if there is any country by name of India .