Hi, you obviously support the Mig 35 from a Russian point of view, but you have to look at it from an Indian point of view to see if it's useful for Indian forces or not.
IN (not IAF) wasn't that impressed by the Mig 29K, they simply had no other option than buying it, because the Gorshkov deal was a combined deal with 16 fighters. For IAC1 they could have gone for another fighter, but that would had increased logistics and maintenance, since they already planned with N-LCA and Mig 29k for the first 2 carriers. That's why the additional order of 29 Migs was a logical step, while the chances are high that the Mig will be rejected by IN for IAC 2, in favour for western fighters.
For IAF the Mig 35 was a no go from the start, the bad experience with Mig fighter quality and after sale support, the overdependence on Russian arms in general, which made Indian forces vulnerable for constant cost increasings, the lack of capability compared to the other contenders or even the fact that not even Russian air force wanted to buy (just like no export customer has interest) it for a long time, made the Mig a bad choice for India.
Not to forget that the fighter is still in prototype stage only, all "Mig 35s" we saw so far, are just older airframes (Mig 29M2, Mig 29K/KUB) with some new techs integrated, so basically demonstrators. The final Mig 35 version with bigger wings for more fuel and weaponstations does not exist yet. Just like the radar is not ready and availabe in time, there are still weight issues with the Zhuk AE and 2013 was stated a while back, since then nothing new was reported and without credible funding Phazotron will have difficulties anyway.
The list of disadvantages for India by choosing the Mig is very long and that's why it wasn't surprising that it was rejected. The unit cost might be cheap and the pilot training is easy, but then we have higher maintenance costs, less capable engines (reportedly a point where IAF had issues) avionics and weapons compared to what the western vendors had on offer. And if all this would not be enough, Russian industry can't offer us more on the industrial side either. We already have the best techs and weapons from your country (which is a good thing), but we were searching for other alternatives, better ToT and more industrial benefits. Here again the western (Europeans) countries offered the clearly more interesting things for India.
If we wanted the cheapest fighter (overall costs) we would have selected the Gripen.
If we wanted the best political advantages we would have selected the F18SH.
If we wanted the best industrial package we might select the EF.
If we wanted the best fighter (for our forces) we might select the Rafale.
Sancho, I can see how many messages you have posted till now so I would like to advise you that please come to an end within few replies as I have seen even a year long ‘Vs’ between aircrafts for MRCA on different forums, and most of the replies were crap. What I have said before, we always have to deal with ‘Grey areas’ and you cant get everything in one product, if you are on market research. If you gain on one point then you are losing on other side at the same time and you have to understand that whether a product can do your work in a better way with less cost or not, and here, I find Mig35 only suitable for this MRCA.
My Answers to your points are as below:
1. IN didn’t reject Mig29K for IAC-2 but it is clear that IAC-2 would come in operation after 2020, in the time of 5th gen stealth aircraft so its obvious that they would think for a naval version of PAK FA/ FGFA for it. What I said before, Mig21 was a frontline aircraft till 1971 but it was shot down by the militants by the guns/ missiles they brought on their hands in Kargil in 1999 as there is a generation gap between Mig21 to Mig29/ Mirage200H. you cant upgrade an aircraft when its generation expires but you do need something in your inventory till its current generation, 4th gen, and hence they singed the best available option for IAC-1, that is Mig29k. they knew that Rafale or other western aircrafts may be ‘little’ better than the Mig29k but IN also know that more or less Mig29K will also do the similar work if the pilot is good, for what Indian pilots have experience of using it. Like, even if Mirage2000H upgrade cost around $79mil right now, IAF is considering its upgrades but don’t want to buy even new Super Hornet which would also cost around $80mil with fully loaded with missiles, the reason is, IAF have good experience on Mirage2000H but they don’t know Super Hornet. Too many things counts when you take any decision and we mainly have to deal with Grey areas.
2. The best aircraft on the Indian border is F16 block 52, not the J10, which also has the old airframe and no opportunity for future upgrades as US is closing its production lines but still it has many customers worldwide who are making order for it right now also. Until you are within 4th gen, whether F16, Mig35, Rafale etc, all will do the work as they all are on offered with AESA radar with improved multi role performance. And when era of 5th gen will start from 2020 onwards, all these 4th gen will be put on back foot, for the operations within Indian territory only like an interceptor, when 5th gen stealth aircrafts will take charge on the frontline.
3. No aircraft is offered for zero maintenance cost and didn’t IAF chose to upgrade Mig29 to Mig29SMT standard? They know this is a very capable aircraft and can well work till 2035 within the budget. Even if you have to pay little more for the maintenance cost, it occurs over the time and you already have full infrastructure of Mig29s and have been using Migs for over last 50 years.
4. Engine of Rafale is also weak and Kaveri is on offer to replace its engine. and the claims for improved performance of EFT or Rafale, avionics etc, is mainly based on the assumed upgrades which will be given to them till 2015 while you already have full techs of next gen aircraft PAK FA with involvements from design to production which will come in production from 2018? And you may add 2-3 years delay in MRCA program so both of them will come in production at the same time? And also, no full TOT you may expect from European suppliers. See the condition on either Scorpion submarine deal or on 5 years longs upgrade negotiations for Mirage2000, they won’t let you touch their best tech until they develop the better one than the previous one, don’t fool yourself. Here, the only thing make sense is, either get a 5th gen stealth aircraft or live with Mig35/ LCA with keeping SU30MKI as the frontline aircraft with Mig35 also, and why not, Mig35/ Mig29VOT is the most advance version of Mig29s which has proved its capabilities in front of other western 4th gen aircrafts many times in past.
5. > Gripen is a different type of aircraft. Single engine without AESA on offer right now, which could help to upgrade LCA also but IAF wanted a better one 4++ like Mig35, F16, Rafale, EFT…
 Once you go inside trap of US by F18SH, you will move on a ‘One Way Path’ with limited opportunity to return. They want to rule and you have strong belief on NAM. they are falling powers and want to get something done before the world may get changed and you want to become the best in the world. India and US will only have to have face to face in future.
 I repeat, EFT is 4th gen and you already engaged on 5th gen aircrafts. EFT which doesn’t have AESA also right now, still developing, and it will have improved A2G performance till 2015? You will get few techs but you are paying around $10bn extra for it, as compare to Mig35.
 Rafale is the best till 2020 only, untill time of 5th gen aircrafts will start. And after that, Rafale will be sent on back foot for doing the works within the Indian Territory and Stealth aircrafts PAK FA/ FGFA will be sent in the territory of China from 2020 onwards, if required. And for any very specialized multi role/ A2G works within Indian territory, if it will be needed, you have $3.9bn upgrade offer for 51 Mirage2000?