Shiv Kapur and Gaurav Ghei shot a six-under 66, but still found themselves three shots behind leaders Singapore, who pulled away from the chasing pack at the World Cup qualifiers with one round to go.
Mardan Mamat and Lam Chih Bing fired a third round of eight-under-par 63 in the four-ball format on Friday with the former showing solid putting, including an eagle at the par five 13th hole of the Seri Selangor Golf Club.
The Singaporeans had a three-day total of 12-under-par 201 while India were at nine-under 204.
Kapur, ranked sixth on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, and Ghei, tied for the overnight lead, are now sole second, with Malaysian duo Danny Chia and Iain Steel in third place after an equally impressive 63.
The top two teams will qualify for the World Golf Championships-World Cup in Barbados in December.
The Indians had six birdies against a lone bogey and they hope to make one final bid on Saturday to win the title.
"There are a few holes like the par fives where you want to take advantage and make your birdies, but other than that, we are in a good position," said Ghei.
"I am pleasantly surprised that we are only three shots back and hopefully Kapur will come out tomorrow with all guns blazing and I hope to keep up my run on the back nine and put up a challenge for the top spot."
"We did not play well today, that is why I am surprised. Mardan and Lam played really well, so we're quite lucky to have a chance in the final round," added Ghei.
Mamat and Lam were in good form and got off to a good start when the latter struck a birdie on the second hole followed by ones by Mardan on the third and fifth holes.
Lam extended their lead with a birdie on the sixth while Mardan's solid tee shot resulted in another birdie at the eighth hole.
After Lam's birdie on the 10th, Mardan blasted an eagle on the par-five 544-yard 13th hole.
"We are not in a safe position and are not going to sit back. We are going to focus and continue our good game," said Mardan, who finished joint 12th at the Barclays Singapore Open.
Italian talent Emanuele Canonica and Francesco Molinari were in fourth spot after shooting 64, six strokes off the pace, while Philippine duo of Juvic Pagunsan and Gerald Rosales slipped with a 70 to be joint fifth spot alongside Finland's Mikko Maneros and Juha Pekka Peltomaki (67).
The final round will use the foursomes (alternate) shot format.
Third round scores (four-ball):
201: Singapore (Mardan Mamat/Lam Chih Bing) 65-73-63
204: India (Shiv Kapur/Gaurav Ghei) 68-70-66
206: Malaysia (Danny Chia/Iain Steel) 65-78-63
207: Italy (Emanuele Canonica/Francesco Molinari) 68-75-64
208: Philippines (Gerald Rosales/Juvic Pagunsan) 64-74-70; Finland (Mikko Maneros/Juha Pekka Peltomaki) 69-72-67
209: Switzerland (Martin Rominger/Nicolas Sulzes) 70-74-65
211: Hong Kong (James Stewart/David Freeman) 63-78-70; Holland (Ruben Wechgelaer/John Bleys) 73-73-65.
