Mumbai, Feb 17 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities opened strong Wednesday and after 35 minutes of trade was ruling 203 points higher than its previous close.

At 9.36 a.m., the 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,228.91 points, was at 16,430.32 points, up 203.64 points or 1.25 percent from its previous close.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty was at 4,916.3 points, against the previous close at 4,855.75 points, a gain of 1.25 percent or 60.55 points.

Broader markets were also in the green, with the BSE midcap index up 1.19 percent and the BSE small cap index trading 1.12 percent higher.