India is already firmly in the Western sphere of influence, and I still don't see how America "lost" any bet. A strong India is absolutely in our favor given it

India is already firmly in the Western sphere of influence, and I still don't see how America "lost" any bet. A strong India is absolutely in our favor given it's a democracy with fundamental rights and rule of law. The example you cite is not surprising to me in the least. It's realpolitik, and every regional power does this and always has. That book was self important wish-fulfillment on the part of the author, IMHO.