flattery could be just an attempt to manipulate the indians. The west knew indians love to be flattered and that indians have inferiority complex against China. Flattering indians are cheap price to pay if that means they can push indians into conflict with China. Looking at india media today, it seems they bought the flattery and think too highly of themselves. Few indian experts can be realists when it comes to Chinese issue. Kinda remind me of what Kishore Mahbubani said, he regretted being invited to talk with Indian experts. When he proposed realist politics when dealing with China, those "experts" immediately shouted out and drowned him, LMAO.