You just live in a fantasy world. You aren't getting TOT. The US fits it for you. Or gives a plug and play option.
Now you want to throw in MBDA not being able to fit a meteor to just any platform, it has to have the ability to communicate.
It's understandable that you do not understand the article I posted. Nothing surprising there. Really.
Astra's datalink module is independent from Link 16 and MADL, so the F-35 needs to incorporate it into the aircraft. The mission computer needs to be uploaded with the missile's parameters and mid-course guidance algorithms and then integrate with the radar.
In order to protect Astra, the Indian team can create a black box. But to create the black box the US has to provide schematics for an interface which requires some ToT.
For the datalink, we need a translator, but the US doesn't work with others in this area as per CISMOA/COMCASA. Which means Astra will have to carry 2 datalinks, one that uses the Indian network and the other that can integrate with the F-35, fat chance of that happening.
What makes integration of Derby and Meteor easy is they use AMRAAM electricals and ejectors. And the UK, Italy, and Israel, apart from using American datalinks, all three already have high security clearance due to their deep access to AMRAAM tech. Astra is a unique missile with its own electricals and ejection system.
Finally, people forget that the F-35 is a closed architecture system compared to Rafale's open architecture. So it's a lot easier to integrate non-NATO weapons on Rafale than the F-35. The datalink incompatibility is where things end even before they start.
If the F-35 is bought, while we can use a few other weapons that do not need radar integration but will still require modifications, we are nevertheless going to get stuck with mostly American weapons.
Otoh, NGAD uses an open architecture, so it's a lot easier to integrate Indian weapons on it. So, NGAD or bust. The F-35 has no chance of being inducted in the IAF.
PS: This is too complex for you to understand, I wrote this post for the benefit of other readers so they don't get taken in by your jingoistic takes.