Cost, technology transfer, and geopolitical factors influence the crucial decision for its air force modernization.

It is to be noted that Donald Trump has made the offer to provide India with US stealth fighter jets at a time when Russia is also keen on selling its Su-57 stealth fighters to India.

And, most strikingly, Mr Trump said they were “paving the way” to supply India with the F -35, which is currently restricted to American allies. That only intensified manoeuvring among military officials and arms-makers in Bangalore.

New Delhi's decision on next-generation advanced stealth fighters will have to factor in military data leak concerns, analysts say India faces a decision that could reshape its defence future. Will it embrace the United States' offer to sell its most advanced F-35 stealth fighters,