India: Global Optimism, Local Fears

On November 26, a coordinated group of gunmen terrorized the city of Mumbai, the financial capital of India, attacking prestigious hotels and other popular destinations within the city. Gunfire continued for three days, and as of December 1, fatalities stood at 174, including nine terrorists.1 In recent years, India, and more specifically Mumbai, has suffered through numerous terrorist attacks, but "the [Wednesday night] assaults were particularly brazen in scale and execution," as the New York Times reported.2

Recent reports from the Pew Global Attitudes Project show Indians to be very positive about their economic situation. India is clearly embracing the economic aspects of globalization, with high levels of support for international trade. However, the Indian public also worries greatly about terrorism -- more so, in fact, than do Palestinians and as much as Israelis. And, reflecting its longstanding conflict with Pakistan, has a particularly negative view of that neighboring country, which is being blamed by some Indian officials for last week's attacks.

Read the full report India: Global Optimism, Local Fears on the Pew Research Center Web site.