Canadians see India as a fast-growing economy and believe the country's growth is an "important opportunity" for Canada, but most of them can't identify who Narendra Modi is, according to a new poll.
The vast majority of Canadians are unable to identify Prime Minister Modi and also do not know that Islam is the second-largest religion in India after Hinduism, the poll by Angus Reid Institute said.
Only 22 per cent of respondents could identify Modi when shown his photo, The National Post reported.
While 88 per cent correctly said Hindus formed one of the two largest religious groups, only 25 per cent correctly chose Muslims as forming the other group. Thirty-eight per cent chose Sikhs and 33 per cent chose Buddhists, the report said.
When asked what descriptors topped their mind when they thought of India, respondents picked "massive population" (68 per cent) and "dangerous place for women" (46 per cent) over "world's largest democracy" (12 per cent) and "economic powerhouse" (7 per cent).
Most Canadians, however, recognise India as a fast-growing economy and believe its growth is an "important opportunity" for Canada, with 58 per cent supportive of pursuing a free trade agreement.
However, they were more ambivalent about helping India develop its nuclear energy industry.
Sixty per cent of those polled disapprove of Canada-India nuclear deal, which would see Canadian companies supplying India with uranium for its nuclear power plants.
This suspicion could relate to the fact that Canada banned exports of uranium to India in the 1970s after India was accused of misusing nuclear fuel, said Shachi Kurl, senior vice-president at the institute.
"Though we didn't specifically ask what Canadians' concerns are in regards to a nuclear agreement, issues of security and risk of accident may loom large," she said.
Since coming to power in May last, Modi has signalled a desire to create a more hospitable climate for foreign businesses and investments.
But only half of survey respondents agreed that India could be counted on as a dependable ally. Still, 70 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they had a generally favourable view of India.
Three-quarters correctly identified India as a democracy and the same number viewed India's economy as either growing rapidly or moderately.
