Please, this is so bogus. If the Indians were really into kissing US butt, would their airforce be stocked with the latest SOVIET hardware? I think not... They buy what they think is best for them.
1) It is not bogus. It is a multi-billion dollar deal by the Indians to get the best aircraft available.
2) Agreed, the Indians are really not that interested in kissing butt. Especially since for the last couple of years countries have been kissing theirs, both here and in Europe.
3) Why is their airforce stocked with 'Soviet era' aircraft? Simply because we were foolish enough to pick Pakistan during the Cold War and push India to the Soviets. There was a time India had American weapons, but we have a tendency to add 'strings' while the Russians were always willing to sell them everything. Furthermore the topline Indian hardware is actually an amalgamation ....eg their latest aircraft have Russian hardware, European avionics, and Israeli upgrades. Far from the Soviet era crap they used to have. And right now several companies (including Boeing with their FA18 hornet) are wooing the Indians for arms sales, and India is really pushing for a deal for US radars.
4) Agreed, India purchases what they think is best for them. And they are exceedingly bright to do so.