"But the outcome could depend on how India-U.S. defence cooperation progresses, he said, adding that India had been working with Washington on security in Asia more than ever before and this could be a mitigating factor."
This is the most important paragraph in the article. US-India defense cooperation hasn't been going too well. USA suffered a partial defeat in Afghanistan, China dominates the South China Sea, India faces the realistic prospect of a two front war, the quads oil supply could be threatened and China is on track to be the largest economy in the world.
USA strategists overestimated India and underestimate Pakistan and China. This has led to strategic miscalculations over the last few decades IMO. Russia is a threat to USA as well...in some ways more seriously then China. Russia has links to right wing extremists fomenting trouble inside the USA and recently engaged in a serious hack inside the USA. In order for USA India cooperation to be enhanced further, India must reduce ties with Russia, IMO. That message should be sent to New Delhi. USA blindly pressing forward with enhanced ties to India while maligning China and ignoring the Indo-Pak conflict....hasn't practically helped the USA (this is a hard fact).
USA should focus at home, reduce tensions with China and rethink its approach in S Asia, IMO.