US-based private equity (PE) firm Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX) in talks with the Moopen family, the promoters of BSE-listed Aster DM Healthcare Limited (NSEI:ASTERDM), to merge its 5,000-bed unlisted hospital chain, Quality CARE India Limited, with Aster, according to a source familiar with the discussions. If successful, the American PE firm is likely to hold a majority stake in the merged entity.