Modi least known in US, while Gandhi ranks in upper half of favourability list

A survey conducted by YouGov among a panel of US residents has found that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among the least-known political figures in the country, and 70% of respondents have said they do not know enough about him to form an opinion.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is even less recognised, as 72% of respondents are unfamiliar with him, making him the least-known figure in the survey.

The survey also assessed the favourability ratings of historical and contemporary leaders, and it found that Modi ranks lower than Russian President Vladimir Putin and even historical figures like Genghis Khan. In contrast, Mahatma Gandhi appears in the upper half of the list, and he holds a significantly higher favourability rating of 61%.

Modi’s net favourability score stands at -3, which reflects a low level of positive perception. However, this differs from the low favourability of widely recognised figures with overwhelmingly negative reputations, such as Adolf Hitler, as Modi remains relatively unknown to many respondents.

Gandhi, in comparison, has a net favourability of +50, and his position in the survey reflects a significantly higher level of positive perception.

Interestingly, the survey results show that both Democrats and Republicans share a similar view of Modi, and his net favourability rating stands at -3 among supporters of both parties.