NEW DELHI — The U.S. is showing keen interest in ballistic missile defense (BMD) cooperation with India. “That is an important potential area for our future cooperation ... I think BMD has great strategic importance and, therefore, the two governments should discuss that strategically before they discuss that technically,” said U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who is visiting India.

NEW DELHI — The Indian government is soon likely to give final clearance for the $1.2 billion purchase of six additional C-130Js, after U.S. authorities approved New Delhi’s request to buy more of the airlifters, officials say. India also ordered six of the aircraft for the same price in 2007-08.

Indian startup Air Mantra, which is part of charter operator Religare Voyages Ltd., is scheduled to launch July 23 with daily flights between Amritsar and Chandigarh, cities in the country’s north. The first airline to be launched in the country in the last five years, Air Mantra will start with a fleet of two 17-seat Beechcraft 1900Ds previously operated on charter service. But Religare Voyages CEO Sandeep Bhatt says the airline intends to add larger turboprops, with ATRs and Bombardier Q400s likely candidates.