Mumbai, Sept. 16 -- The domestic equity benchmarks rallied on Tuesday as optimism grew over India-US trade talks and expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut. Investor sentiment strengthened with Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, in New Delhi for discussions on tariffs. A breakthrough removing punitive tariffs is seen as a potential boost for Indian markets. Global cues were also positive ahead of the Fed's two-day policy meeting ending September 17, with markets pricing in a 25-basis-point cut. The Nifty closed above 25,200, led by gains in auto, realty and IT stocks.

The S&P BSE Sensex rallied 594.95 points or 0.73% to 82,380.69. The Nifty 50 index added 169.90 points or 0.68% to 25,239.1...