Thank You Bataleur39 and PDCTA. On the Jeppesen Enroute Chart, I could find Mumbai TMA limits of FL70 upto 50nm and FL150 upto 100nm.
Mumbai has a large flow of traffic overhead and very often the Area Controller sounds like the Approach Controller. It was probably one of those times.
I guess the bottom line is 'Being Under Radar Control', which allows a lot more freedom in terms of Altitudes to be maintained and, Direct Routeing (which when bestowed is much appreciated).
Warm regards,
Jim