Eastern friend receiving question in the same way (7)
I believe the answer is:
equally
'in the same way' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'eastern friend receiving question' is the wordplay.
'eastern' becomes 'e'.
'friend' becomes 'ally' (an ally is a friend or supporter).
'receiving' indicates putting letters inside.
'question' becomes 'qu' (abbreviation).
'e'+'ally'='eally'
'eally' placed around 'qu' is 'EQUALLY'.
(Other definitions for equally that I've seen before include "Evenly" , "(Treat) without distinction" , "just as much" , "Fairly" , "By the same token" .)