Indians believe globalisation is a benefit

NEW YORK: A large number of Indians believe that globalisation benefits their country and think that international trade is positive for their economy and the environment, according to a new study.

However, many others around the world think trade harms the environment and threatens jobs and want to mitigate these effects with environmental and labour standards, it said.

Asked whether globalisation and 'increasing connection of the economy with others around the world are good or bad, Indians opine that it is good by a margin of 54 to 30 per cent. As many as 64 per cent say, international trade is good for economy and 59 per cent opine it is good for companies.

A majority of 61 per cent believes that international trade is good for consumers and 54 per cent agree that it is good for standard of living. Fifty-six per cent of the Indian respondents believe that international trade is good for creating jobs but only 32 per cent hold the opposite view.

The survey, the fifth in the series, was carried out by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and World Public Opinion in cooperation with polling organisations around the world which constituted 56 per cent of the world's population.

On the issue of whether the international trade is good for the workers' job security, Indians are divided with 49 per cent saying it is good and 37 per cent considering it bad.

More than eight in ten believe that protecting domestic jobs should be an important foreign policy goal.

Contrary to perception that people in developing countries oppose labour standards, the survey found that a majority of 56 per cent Indian say that the trade agreements should require to maintain minimum standards of working conditions and 60 per cent are for environment protection.