The Indian article is THE ONLY source. There's no other, sunshine.
You left out your former Indian military Jefe (RIP) who said the F-35 has never been offered by the US because we would likely not share the technology the F-35 carries. So why on errf (lol) would you think the US would offer Indian Navy the F-35B and F-35C years previous?
The source airforcemag is using is from India and it's the only source! Get it now? Just like India is the only source where they claim it shot down a PAF F-16 when US and others say... say what?
The source is the Pentagon, genius. This guy:
Ashton B. Carter
Ashton B. Carter served as the 25th Secretary of Defense. Secretary Carter has spent more than three decades leveraging his knowledge of science and technology, global strategy and policy as well as
www.defense.gov
When POTUS says something and that's broadcasted on CNN, then CNN is not the source, POTUS is.
Wow, talk about stupid.