I don't remember correctly (perhaps the then ACM Fali Nariman) when asked about F-16 and F-18 said something interesting. He observed that F-16 and F-18 though superb fighters are essentially 1980s technology and almost at the end of their development story with US moving towards Gen V fighters. So we can't expect much in future with these fighters to match with what PLAAF will bring to fore. India is investing for next 25-30 years and perhaps doesn't see F-16/18 as a match to Chinese hardware down the line. Grippen and Mig 35 didn't appeal owing to US components and Mig 35 being nothing new other than ASEA and thrust vectoring.
Secondly Rafale and Typhoon who made the cut are relatively new technologies and my guess is French reliability (with machines and international relations) won them the deal.
We discussed long back on some thread where some members pointed that if ToT goes to the plan, this gigantic deal will develop the Indian Aerospace industry big time, so may be it is an investment we are makig into the future.
Finally Su 35 is a mean machine (no doubts) but don't you feel having them would be redundant (with MKIs around) and FGFA likely to come in a decades time.
As a casual observer, i could see before hand Mig 35 not having a chance simply because IAF wants desperately to move from Russia only hardware even if it means paying premium price.
PS:
I'm one amongst you, so maybe we can do away with the word.
