Your thinking is influenced by medieval mindset. China has territorial dispute with a number of countries. All lesser military powers than India. Has she invaded and occupied their territories? In modern day geo-politics, "(military) might is right" doesn't work. Trade, commerce, industry, education, investment interminably interwined in world geo-politics. Each country big or small is dependant on others for survival and progress. It is all globalized now.
For instance, China claims Taiwan as her territory but dare not invade it. Taiwan is a heavy-weight in IT & Electronics engineering and is a pivot in much of China's export-oriented hardware industry. China knows if she harms Taiwan, she harms herself.
Btw, I find your "relative calm along LAC" view absolutely funny.
nothing medieval about it, its reality.. I dont know if you are wearing rose tinted glasses where you see world as some sort of paradise where everyone is hunky dory with each other, however world is a lot different.
Why do you think Russia could take over Crimea with Ukaraine just sitting it out (Sanctions are just a gesture from NATO, for the record)? Or China claiming Senkaku, Tibet or south China sea's minerals and oil for itself from within the international waters where Vietnam has a stake? It has disputes with Taiwan but Taiwan has formidable defense forces and is an ally of the US. China is looking out for its interests and so should we.
You cannot just "assume" China is going to play it cool.. There is not going to be a full fledged war but you need to guard your interests and without military might you cant be "assertive".. If we had not invested in deterrence, Arunachal and Sikkim would have been struck out of list of indian states by now.
Just think how would India establish an oil rig in south China sea if chinese subs are lurking there and you have no counter? M not saying they will attack on our survey vessels and make it international incident, but even for "eyeballing", you need to have something of your own gut..
I don't see your humor on LAC's issue.. If you feel China is aggressing LAC then you are pretty much contradicting your own point that china will play cool and not claim territory.
Military is always going to be an important clog in the of geopolitical machine along with political diplomacy, unless a day comes when all countries unite and everyone is a global citizen.. and thats Wishful thinking at best.
A bigger carrier force would help us look out for our interests.