The Indian rupee strengthened by 15 paise to Rs 52.10 per US dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Monday, tracking gains registered by the euro and other currencies against the American dollar. Forex dealers said a higher opening in the domestic stock market and dollar losses against the euro and other currencies overseas on hopes that European leaders will cobble together a rescue fund to ease the region's debt problems supported the rupee sentiment. However, month-end dollar demand from importers restricted the gains, they said. The rupee had weakened by 19 paise to close at Rs 52.25/26 against the US dollar on Friday amid fresh demand for the American currency from importers and weak equity markets. Meanwhile, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex index rose by 231.71 points, or 1.48 per cent, to 15,927.14 in opening trade on Monday.
