PRESS DIGEST - Indian Business News - Nov 17

MUMBAI, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Indian newspapers carried the following stories in their print or Web editions on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

ECONOMIC TIMES (www.economictimes.com)

* India's central bank is in talks with some large banks to lower the tenure of derivative contract deals to minimise risks. * Kingfisher Airlines (KING.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) is holding exploratory talks with international carriers for diluting up to 25 percent stake. The move comes on hopes the federal government may allow foreign airlines to invest in domestic carriers.

* Construction and engineering firm Larsen & Toubro Ltd (LART.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) is in talks with Antwerp Port Authority to establish a greenfield port in the west coast of the country. The venture will initially invest 20 billion rupees into the port.

* India's Insurance Regulatory Development Authority is set to give state-run Life Insurance of India (LIC) more leeway to invest in debt instruments of a single company. This would help state-owned companies access funds from LIC, which has surpluses to invest in these turbulent times.

MINT (www.livemint.com)

* India's federal government is considering a proposal to subsidise loans for infrastructure projects, offered through public bids, by effectively, capping interest rates and absorbing the cost of higher rates in its own books.

* Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (MPSE.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) is expected to announce a partnership with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and NYK Line this week to set up a dedicated automobile terminal at the western coast port.

BUSINESS STANDARD (www.business-standard.com)