<h1>Sensex and Nifty Extend Record-Breaking Rally on Rate Cut Hopes and US-India Trade Deal Optimism</h1> Equity benchmark indices opened higher, with the Sensex and Nifty extending gains after recently hitting record highs, supported by blue-chip buying and expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve and the RBI. Market sentiment was further aided by optimism over a prospective US-India trade agreement, which may have regulatory and tariff implications. Despite this, Foreign Institutional Investors were net sellers while Domestic Institutional Investors were net buyers. Trading occurred against a backdrop of mixed Asian markets and a US market closure, with Brent crude edging higher, potentially influencing future monetary and fiscal policy considerations.