An overwhelming 92 per cent of the people in India feel family is extremely important and has influenced them most, a new poll indicated on Sunday.

The BBC World Service Gallup International poll found that while 18 per cent of Pakistanis said friends have had the most important influence and 12 per cent said religious leaders influenced them most, only 4 per cent of Indian respondents put friends first and less than 1 per cent said the same about religious leaders.

People in India are most likely to identify themselves as Indians-34 per cent identified this as being the most important to them-rather than their local area, state or city (26 per cent) or religion (19 per cent).

In Pakistan, 59 per cent identified themselves by their religion and only 8 per cent did so by nationality.

In India, only 9 per cent trust politicians, compared to 13 per cent globally. This is significantly higher in Pakistan with a level of trust in politicians of 31 per cent.

As part of its 'Who Runs Your World?' programmes, BBC world Service had commissioned Gallup International Voice of the People 2005 poll of more than 50,000 people in 68 nations about who has power, who wants it and how it is used.

Indians are less optimistic about people's own ability to change their lives, with only 18 per cent feeling positive about this, compared to 52 per cent globally. In Pakistan, the situation is similar, with only 15 per cent feeling positive.

Indians who do not believe their country is governed by the will of the people is 77 per cent, which is higher than the global average of 65 per cent, even as 67 per cent do not believe that Indian elections are free and fair.