MUMBAI, April 4 -- Indian custodians are preparing for operational disruption after Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approved a shift to net settlement of trades for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), pressing ahead despite industry calls to make the change optional. The move, cleared at Sebi's March board meeting, allows FPIs to settle funds on a net basis in the cash market, replacing the system where each leg of a transaction is settled separately. The change is aimed at reducing funding costs and aligning India with global practices, but intermediaries warn it could strain systems and workflows. Some industry participants have also questioned the timing amid volatile global conditions. Under the current gross settlement sy...