What if British India invested heavily in the Royal Indian Navy from 1922 onward?
Short answerIt would build mainly sloops for convoy escort, patrol, and trade protection, with only a small cruiser component constrained by later treaties.
NotesAn expanded Royal Indian Navy would be built mainly around sloops under the treaty system described here. Sloops could be acquired in large numbers without using the treaty allowances that constrained larger warships. A few cruisers might also be built, although later London Naval Treaty limits would complicate that expansion. The resulting force would concentrate on maritime security, convoy escort and trade protection.