New Delhi, Feb. 3 -- Indian equity markets are poised for a powerful rally on Tuesday, with benchmark indices expected to open near record territory after New Delhi and Washington finalized a trade agreement that slashes tariffs on Indian exports to 18 percent-a move investors see as clearing a major overhang on sentiment.

The deal comes after months in which trade-related uncertainty weighed heavily on Indian stocks, contributing to their relative underperformance compared with other Asian and emerging-market peers over the past year.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from United News of India....