Sri Lanka has emerged as the most positively viewed country in South Asia, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center examining public attitudes across the region.

The study surveyed people in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to understand how they view neighboring countries. Sri Lanka stood out as the only country to receive more favorable than unfavorable ratings from all three foreign publics surveyed.

Around half or more of respondents in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan expressed positive views of Sri Lanka, while a third or fewer held negative opinions. This consistent level of favorability places Sri Lanka in a strong position compared with other countries in the region.

The findings also revealed significant differences in how South Asian countries view one another. India received highly positive ratings in Sri Lanka but was viewed less favorably in Pakistan and received mixed opinions in Bangladesh. Pakistan, meanwhile, was viewed positively by many respondents in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but received very low favorability ratings in India.

Sri Lanka’s positive image has also strengthened over time. Favorability among Indians increased by six percentage points since 2024, while the country continued to maintain strong positive perceptions across the region.

Overall, the findings highlight Sri Lanka’s growing regional appeal and strong public image among its South Asian neighbors.