Mumbai, April 28 -- The Indian rupee appreciated 38 paise to close at 85.03 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, supported by sustained foreign fund inflows, easing crude oil prices and a bullish trend in domestic equities. Indian shares rose sharply on Monday despite heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following the recent Pahalgam attack. Sentiment was underpinned as India's Minister of State for Commerce, Jitin Prasada, confirmed continuous dialogue with the U.S. on a bilateral trade deal. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that India is likely to become the first nation to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. - a development that would help New Delhi sidestep the 26 percent reciprocal ta...