And, most strikingly, Mr Trump said they were “paving the way” to supply India with the F -35, which is currently restricted to American allies. That only intensified manoeuvring among military officials and arms-makers in Bangalore.

At first glance, the photograph of two fighter jets — one parked on the tarmac and other zooming past it in the air — appears entirely commonplace.

New Delhi's decision on next-generation advanced stealth fighters will have to factor in military data leak concerns, analysts say India faces a decision that could reshape its defence future. Will it embrace the United States' offer to sell its most advanced F-35 stealth fighters,