The real issue ex India is the 2750 mile band in the MPC earning table. If I were being cynical, I would say that someone looked at the HKG-India and HKG-Australia distances and picked a number. But I also note that PEY is reportedly absent from many (most) sub-continent CX flights from HKG.

Having said that, UL in business class is a real alternative for the India - HKG routes.
As long as the India-CMB is at least 750 miles (sorry MAA) you would earn 50 points with MPC each way in the J cabin. MH in Z class also works for short (cheap) flights for status.

[potential heresy]
But back to the USA trip problem. Start the trip somewhere other than HKG if you want to fly CX, even if it costs "a day" to get there. I didn't look specifically but SGN KUL and CMB have seen interesting prices in the past. Using a LCC to get there "keeps the costs down".

Happy wandering
Fred