Delta Air Lines is being tipped to take a stake in Indian carrier Jet Airways.
Exploratory discussions over an equity investment have reportedly to have been held.
This could stem from an initial commercial joint venture with Delta and Air France-KLM.
The commercial pact could be announced in the next couple of months, the Business Standard in India reported.
Delta Air Lines’ Asia Pacific senior vice president Vinay Dube was appointed chief executive of Jet Airways in May.
Etihad Airways has a 24% shareholding in Mumbai-based Jet Airways while Delta has stakes in Virgin Atlantic, AeroMexico and China Eastern Airlines.