We never had a easy ride as you are trying to make it out. Our policy is always of a independent nation unlike others who were in bed with a one or other partner.
Former USSR did helped us with arms and continue to do so but there were never any free lunches. You got to arm yourself when you are facing rogue neighbors on two sides.
Yeah right. The British, Europe, USSR, Israel, and now USA handed on a plate to India all the pre-built infrastructure, government system, political support, industry, technology, and armaments more than any developing country ever received. Maybe that is why you and our beloved India are bursting full off arrogance and delusion.
Well lets see where that "independent nation" policy has gotten India today. Looking at the footage of New Delhi in the 1990s and today in 2020, I could hardly see any difference other than the just the picture clarity. OTOH look at Shenzhen in the 1990s and look at it now in 2020. China's GDP is 5 times larger than India's today. Mind the gap please. There is just no comparison.
Another fun fact for you. India is still the biggest arms importer in the world. A damning fact for a country claiming to be a superpower. Even "non-superpower" smaller countries like Germany, France, Switzerland, Israel, South Korea, and Italy have far more competent Military Industry Complexes than India. You are right, there are no free lunches. India is no superpower, its just a delusional pretender.