Indian Public Opinion on Pakistan: A Diverse and Changing Landscape
Historical Hostility and Nationalist Sentiments
History of Hostility and Nationalist Sentiment
The partition of 1947 has left India-Pakistan relations fraught with wars, border skirmishes and diplomatic standoffs. These tensions have often been reflected in public opinion in India, with spikes in hostility following major incidents like the 2019 Pulwama attack and the 2025 Pahalgam massacre.
Nationalist media and political rhetoric have cemented the image of Pakistan as a hostile neighbour. In a 2025 survey by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), nearly 60% of Indian respondents cited Pakistan as the principal security threat.
The Role of Media and Info Warfare
Digital media and social networking sites are increasingly influencing contemporary Indian opinion. Accusations of Pakistan’s use of information warfare, including propaganda and disinformation campaigns, have also deepened mistrust. In its October 2025 brief, ORF examines the implications of Pakistan’s hybrid warfare strategy on Indian public discourse, particularly following the Balakot airstrikes and recent border escalations.
Echo chambers created by television debates, WhatsApp forwards and YouTube commentary have amplified nationalist views. But they’ve also generated counter-narratives from peace activists, academics and younger Indians questioning the long-term costs of perpetual hostility.
Generational Divide: Youth vs Legacy Perspectives
There is a big change brewing in the younger population of India. Older generations have rigid views based on past conflicts, but many millennials and Gen Z Indians are curious about Pakistan’s culture, music and people. In some quarters, social media exchanges, cricket diplomacy and cross-border collaborations in entertainment have mellowed perceptions.
But this openness is often mitigated by concerns about terrorism, border security and Pakistan’s internal politics. However, the 2025 Stimson Centre analysis notes that while strategic experts are calling for de-escalation, public sentiment is still “volatile and reactive to news cycles".
voices for peace and engagement
Yet, even with the prevailing narrative of rivalry, there are still Indian civil society groups, journalists and artists who continue to advocate dialogue. Aman ki Asha, Track II diplomacy and such other efforts have kept alive the hope of peaceful engagement.
When the crisis broke out in 2025, prominent Indian voices called for calm and a diplomatic resolution. Though their voices are often lost in the din of more strident nationalist rhetoric, they represent a sizeable segment of Indian society that sees Pakistan not just as an adversary but as a neighbour with a shared history and the possibility of cooperation.
Impact of Recent Conflicts
Public anger flared up again after the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, triggering calls for retaliation across the board. Media polls indicated that a majority of the public supported India’s subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor. But the longer-term fallout from such flare-ups has given strategic minds reason to caution against knee-jerk responses that bypass diplomatic channels.
International Influence and Diaspora Perspectives
Indian diaspora communities – particularly in the US and UK – are generally more moderate on Pakistan. Due to their exposure to multicultural surroundings and world politics, they can have a wider view. These voices can influence domestic opinion through the media, academia and policy advocacy.
And international pressure for stability in the region, not least from allies such as the US, has resulted in nuanced public discussions in India about the costs of enduring hostility.
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