Rupee weakens before regaining ground

The slide in value of south-east Asian currencies on the financial markets also unsettled the Indian rupee.

The Indian currency came under pressure, trading at a low of thirty-nine point six-two against the dollarbefore regaining its losses at the close of trading at thirty-nine point three eight.

Correspondents say the impact of the South-East Asian slide -- combined with a rising demand for dollars from Indian industry, and pilgrims making the Haj -- all contributed to the weakness of the rupee, which has fallen by about nine per cent against the dollar since August.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service