A noob question - What does this Aircraft Carrier brings to the Indian Navy that it didn't have otherwise ?
I discussed the same in this thread too:
'INS Vikramaditya will be a game-changer'
The general need for carriers comes up as a source to project your power to the sea, either in your coastal areas, or beyond. But people get carried away when looking at western powers and their carriers or how they use it, ignoring the threat perceptions of India, because just as you said, there is no need for aircraft carriers in possible wars against Pakistan, nor any other neighboring country. The capabilities of IN, even without carriers and of IAFs maritime attack forces are more than enough to defend India's coast lines against any possible military surface threat. IAF can easily support IN's surface fleet in the whole Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal and is adding more capabilities wtr (new MKI squads being raised in the south to cover the Bay of Bengal mainly, possible addition of Rafale later too).
The real benefit of these carriers is, that IN now will be able to extend it's power further to the south of the Indian Ocean and gain further control of the Indian Ocean area. This gets even more important when the USN will be diverted to east Asia and focused on the Pacific regions, which leaves IN as the main power with the Australian navy to protect and control this area.
IN also must be able to show power and that it is capable of projecting power to the east (South Chinese Sea) as well, which in theory will be possible with Viki and IAC1, practically they don't stand any chance there against PLAN and shore based capabilities. It's the same case that PLAN will face when diverting their first carrier to the Bay of Bengal or Arabian Sea. Even if the carrier and the air wing is superior to Viki, coupled with our shore based capabilities a single carrier will be far too less to pose a threat to India (PLANs subs are the real threat!).
So projecting power further beyond the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, are the reason why IN needs carriers and how they will be a true blue water navy. While for the protection of our coast lines and Sea control of the Sea's around them more SSKs and Frigats indeed would had been the better idea.