Indian law firms Amarchand & Mangaldas and Khaitan & Co have bolstered their partnership with new hires.

Khaitan & Co has recruited infrastructure specialist Prabjot Singh Bhullar as a partner based in its New Delhi office. A spokesman from the firm said that the appointment is among a number of expansion moves the Delhi office has undergone, the others being moving to a new office and "revamping operations."

Fellow Delhi-based rival, Amarchand & Mangaldas has also hired two new partners. Corporate lawyers Tushar Mavani has moved from Mulla & Mulla, and Ashish Jejurkar from Luthra & Luthra.

Amarchand's recent appointments have caused speculation that, in making new hires instead of promoting from within, the firm is sending a clear message to associates to step up their game.

Amarchand has also recently adopted what is being called a "localised version" of the lockstep system.