I will venture an answer although you may not like it. And this is sort of off topic so excuse my answer.
Looking at the twenty year old LCA program - they simply did not get the support from their govt. If India can do chandrayan & mangalyan they couldn't put together a small jet the size of the Yak 130 or develop the engine for it? This was a three year affair for the Russians and Italians.
The point is in the subcontinent money and power (they beget each other) will always trump idealism and national interest. If some politicians decide they want to buy Rafales (the BOFORS case of the late two thousands) and divvy up the percentage then that's what will happen without fail. All relevant mouths to call for the LCA will be made 'khamosh' with money. And people like us will be left to our devices, coming to Pak Defence and bitchin' about it.
That's why we will always be the 'bitch' for Western countries and their 'dalals' we elect. They know this better than we do - they ruled us for two hundred plus years.
Unless people in our countries get smarter and more aware. And stop electing corrupt politicians like we always do. But I always have hope. Hope will bring change - someday.