NEW DELHI — India’s ambitious Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contract is facing hurdles at the negotiation table, as sources say Dassault it seeking to absolve itself of responsibility for the copies of its Rafale fighter to be assembled in India by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). Under an agreement, the Indian air force (IAF) is likely to get 18 Rafale aircraft from Dassault Aviation in fly-away condition.

Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia has announced recruitment plans for domestic operations in India, set to begin later this year. The airline, which last month received government approval to form a joint-venture carrier in India, will interview prospective flight attendants and pilots April 13 in Chennai, an airline spokesman says. “Experienced flight attendants or fresh graduates of any discipline are also welcome to attend the interview,” the spokesman says.

NEW DELHI — India is considering increasing the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in its defense sector to at least 49% from the current 26%, according to a top government official. “I am in favor of raising [the] FDI limit in the defense sector to at least 49%, if not 74%,” Federal Trade Minister Anand Sharma says. The policy change is needed to help India “become a major defense producer” in the world, he says. “India needs to move on. Our industry is talking to major defense manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe.”