[af_vet_rr]

Remember well, the term, 'ally' isn't in the same as in the usual context. India never is, and never has been, an "ally" of anyone except herself.

I will agree with this, but the times have changed - the USAF has been conducting long-range training with India's Air force, and helping to bring them up to speed on long-range aerial warfare (including working with them on aerial refueling). Why that is happening, I do not know. They publicized the hell out of it as well, obviously sending a message to somebody...

[CarrotAndStick]

They’re for practising inter-operability, in case there ever needs a combined Indo-US front against a third country (read: China).