I disagree, saying India a peaceful power not having an intention to occupy or be belligerent against others is factually wrong. India has been even more belligerent in its neighbourhood as much as(or maybe even more than) China has been in her own neighbourhood.
Firstly, India intervened militarily in Kashmir and has today incorporated it completely into its union terrirtories and you dont have about 900,000 soldiers there for no reason. Lol while still claiming the other part occupied by Pakistan. In short both you guys are occupying those terrirtories. Best thing both of guys can do is to recognise the current status quo as de facto your country teriritory or both of you make them vote themsleves if they want to be independent on their own or join either side. However i know that wont happen anyway, im not judging just making an observation.
Additionally India intervened militarily and supported Bengalis uprising against East Pakistans government to carve out Bengldesh from Pakistan(India's arch enemy.) Im not saying it was wrong per se, im just making an observation.
Secondly you guys outright invaded and annexed Sikkim into your country. Lol Again im just making an observation not judging you guys, afterall its geo politics, if you can do so with little to no consequences then its a plus and net gain for your country.
Thirdly, you guys basically control Bhutan as a quasi colony to this day, in fact you basically almost run their foriegn and military affairs. Lol There's a reason they can't sign a boder treaty with China without India's government consent or approval. Lol In short you occupy them already, just not officially militarily. Lol
Fourthly, its widely known that India has been involved in Sri Lanka for a long time, and even sponsored the bloody separatist Tamil tigers group for a long time against the sri Lanka government and use it as a leverage against sri Lanka. And even today India is still involved in influencing Sri Lankas politics to its favour and RAW is active there. Its same thing with the Maldives etc. Again i'm no judging just making an observation..
In short, your point that India doesnt have it in its habit to get involved in occupying others and being belligerent in other countries giving its colonial past is factually wrong. Since that's not the case, the only reason India is not doing so away from its neighbourhood as well is simply because you dont have the means to do yet unlike the US.