Lets analysis for deny other aircrafts.
(1) no faith in usa as any time they ban on india. second in 1998 after nuke experiment they seized all sea harier sent for upgradation without reason however time to forget those. not good reason.
(2) Pak has f-16 hence they aware about all maneouvers and tech. so no surprise stunt possible, Pak pilots are doing job since many years hence know more than India so no to f-16.
(3) grippen falls in small aircraft category. engine belongs to USA. no AESA. no to grippen
(4) Mig 35 no semi stealth like rafale. delay in gorskov. no supply of parts in time.
(5) f-18 no new tech, composite materials.
(6) Yes to Rafale and Typhoon
new morden tech, High Thrust and weight ratio Typhoon 1.15 & Rafale 1.10, semi stealth, composite material used, better weapon load typhoon-7500kg, Rafale-9500kg which are more than others, two engines hence in critical time even one engine lost other survive the plane not in case of f-16 or grippen, falls in medium category. avionics. etc.
hence these.
F-16 lost race prior as pak have that, grippen falls in small category with one engine, mig-35 & f-18 not stealthier. political relation ship with france and europe cool and steady in compare to us and rus.