So you're saying that SFO BOM is 1,020 miles shorter through NRT than EWR?

What about via FRA or MUC?

This is how I think about SFO - India: If I fly through FRA or any other place in Northern Europe, then I take the fast polar route from SFO to first stop and both legs are long-haul international, with better service and hard product.

I'd never fly to India through EWR because:

1. SFO-EWR is domestic, meaning less service, less comfort

2. Route from SFO-EWR doesn't leverage "great circle" so it's longer and slower even if it's similar miles flown

3. Risk of delay or problem at EWR is much greater than at FRA or MUC

4. EWR itself is an airport I will never voluntarily transit through - I will only go there if Newark is my destination

Hence, SFO-India through EWR is the last option I'd choose.