The Sensex opened marginally (24 points) lower at 17,204 amid weak cues from the global markets. The index soon dropped to a low of 17,111, and is now down 47 points at 17,181.
India and the US have agreed to strengthen bilateral economic co-operation through new initiatives like setting up a Framework for Cooperation on Trade and Investment and launching a Financial and Economic Partnership.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) need to ensure protection of Indian working-class people in the Gulf country who face problems when their visas are not renewed, a top Central Government Minister said.