India, Feb. 12 -- Indian shares opened on a firm note Thursday as signs of a slowing economy towards the end of 2024 and falling retail inflation reinforced the views that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will continue to loosen its monetary policy in coming months.
Sentiment was also aided after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Russia will immediately begin negotiations toward ending the Ukraine conflict.
The benchmark 30-share BSE Sensex was up 424 points, or 0.6 percent, at 76,595 in early trade while the broader NSE Nifty index was up 140 points, or 0.6 percent, at 23,185.
Among the top gainers, Bajaj FinServ, JSW Steel, Cipla, Tata Steel and Bajaj Finance were up 2-3 percent.
Kotak Mahindra Bank rose nearly 2 percent af...