# Gen Z rates India-Israel defence ties above US, France: survey

2026-09-20T11:16:59+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

A survey by the India Israel Centre claims Gen Z in India ranks Israel among the top three nations for defence cooperation and top five for diplomatic ties, ahead of the US and France. The New Indian Express identifies the centre as a pro-Israel advocacy think tank. Hindustan Times and Udayavani report the findings without that label. Of respondents aged 18-29, 52% rated India-Israel defence ties as robust, placing Israel third alongside Russia. France got 51% and the US 46%, according to the survey released on 16 September. The statement did not name the countries ranked first or second. The 22-25 age group was most receptive to stronger ties, with the centre claiming a fourfold rise in support for deeper future cooperation.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The India Israel Centre, a pro-Israel advocacy group, released the survey. Hindustan Times and Udayavani report its claims without questioning the source or methodology. The New Indian Express alone labels the centre a "pro-Israel advocacy think tank," flagging bias. The survey says defence ties with Israel are rated above those with the US and France, but the sources never name which countries ranked first or second. The claim of a "fourfold" increase in support for stronger ties lacks published baseline numbers. The reader should ask who funded the AI-platform study and whether the same sample would rate other allies if asked side-by-side. The findings reflect a think tank's narrative push, not independent research. The 16 September release date is the concrete fact to track for possible counter-surveys.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (pro government) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gen-z-considers-india-s-defence-ties-with-israel-to-be-better-than-us-france-india-israel-centre-101789892153156.html>
  Leads with think tank's framing as fact, omits its pro-Israel advocacy label and uses auto-generated feed
- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/20/gen-z-ranks-indias-defence-ties-with-israel-above-us-and-france-pro-israel-think-tank-claims>
  Identifies the survey source as a 'pro-Israel advocacy think tank', flags the lack of top-ranked countries named
- udayavani.com (sensationalist) <https://udayavani.com/national/gen-z-considers-indias-defence-ties-with-israel-to-be-better-than-us-france-india-israel-centre-890501?langu003den>
  Brief wire-copy reproduction without any context or attribution beyond the think tank's statement

Tags: France, Gen Z, India Israel Centre, Israel, Kargil War, United States
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gen-z-rates-israel-defence-ties-above-us-france-survey-claims/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gen-z-rates-israel-defence-ties-above-us-france-survey-claims/#story-in-brief