India most corrupt nation in Asia says Forbes article

India is closely followed by Vietnam at 65 per cent bribery rate.

An article in the Forbes while citing a survey stated that India is the most corrupt country in Asia. The article however praises Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fight against corruption.

The Forbes article, which rates India the highest in the list with 69 per cent bribery rate, describes India as: "In five of the six public services - schools, hospitals, ID documents, police, and utility services - more than half the respondents have had to pay a bribe."

The article cites the statistics furnished by Transparency International (TI), an anti-corruption global civil society organisation.

Depicting how pervasive the problem is across Asia, a list released by Forbes - Asia's Five Most Corrupt Countries - says that India beats Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan and Myanmar, when it comes to bribery rate.

"However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fight against corruption has made a mark. 53 per cent of the people think he is going it fairly or very well. And it has led to people feeling empowered, as 63 per cent believe ordinary people can make a difference," the article states.

India is closely followed by Vietnam at 65 per cent bribery rate.

India's neighbour, Pakistan, stands fourth in the list with 40 per cent bribery rate. The article describes the nation as: "In Pakistan, about three-fourths of respondents perceive most or all of the police to be corrupt. Of the people who encountered either the police or the courts, nearly seven in ten had to pay a bribe. Sadly, people don't feel things can change-only a third think ordinary people can make a difference."

The 18-month long survey by Transparency International was concluded after talking to more than 20,000 people in 16 countries, regions and territories in the Asia Pacific.

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