US President Donald Trump’s image in India has gained favour since his candidacy in 2016, jumping from 14 percent confidence to 56 percent over three years, according to a Pew Research Center poll.

Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, will begin his two-day India visit from February 24 and is scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad, Agra, and New Delhi during the trip.

Trump's approval rating among Indians is neck and neck with his predecessor Barack Obama who had 58 percent at the time he left the Presidential office. That said, as many as 48 percent of Indians disapprove of Trump's policy on increasing tariffs or fees on imported goods from other countries, according to the survey.

The US has widened tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, including from India and also reduced its preferential trading partner status for India under the US Generalised System of Preferences. The Indian government responded with retaliatory tariffs against the US. Trump has made no bones about India's tariffs on high-end Harley Davidson motorcycles.

When it comes to China, the Indian public is more negative with as many as 46 percent of the people having an unfavourable view of the country. As much as 61 percent of Indians say China's growing economy is a bad thing for their country, the poll said.

First Published:Feb 21, 2020 4:03 PM IST