<h1>Indian rupee drops 17 paise to 85.90 against dollar amid strong greenback and weak equity sentiment</h1> The Indian rupee declined 17 paise to 85.90 against the US dollar in early Wednesday trading due to a strengthening greenback and weak domestic equity market sentiment. The currency had gained 21 paise to close at 85.73 on Tuesday. Brent crude oil prices reached a two-week high at $70.15 per barrel due to supply concerns from maritime attacks, though prices later fell slightly after reports of increased crude inventories. The dollar index rose 0.17% to 97.68, while domestic equity markets declined with foreign institutional investors selling equities worth Rs 26.12 crore on Tuesday.