Abingdonboy
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I agree with your comments to one degree or another but would just like to point out that India is not "dumping" Russia, rather diversifying its defence procurements which is pragmatic. Russia remains India's largest beneficiary (by far) of defence deals (in dollar terms).Yes there are major geostrategic implications that would need to be met for an Indian-US agreement of this kind... this is of course depended on India actually wanting the F-35 in the first place, which they haven;t indicated a strong interest in. The F-35, being the premiere attack system of the West - similar to the F-16, selling it requires a major upgrade in relations and this is why it is currently only offered to allied nations. India would have to join the US side against China, dump its relationship with Russia, or at least limit it (India is already doing this by shifting its procurement to Western and indigenous designs) and the US itself would face a problem of its friend Pakistan becoming angered and seeking even closer ties with China as a ccounterweightto India's new system and capabilities. I don't see the F-35 gracing the India Air Force or Navy, they don't want it, we don't want to sell it, and no party is willing to make the geopolitical changes that would need to be necessary for the F-35 to be sold to India.
Additionally I believe your former secretary of state Hilary Clinton offered the F-35 to India (at an absurd price IIRC) when on a visit to India so the US has shown an inclination to offer the F-35 to India should the Indian side be interested (which they really aren't).