Mumbai, Nov 17 (IANS) Indian equities opened weak Tuesday after the gains made the day before but a key index remained above the crucial 17,000-point mark.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened a tad higher at 17,036.23 points, against Monday's close at 17,032.51 points. Some five minutes into trading, the key index was marginally down 12.19 points, or 0.07 percent.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader S&P CNX Nifty was ruling at 5,036.80 points, against the previous day's close at 5,058.05 points, with a loss of 21.25 points, or 0.42 percent.

Strong global sentiments, positive weekend numbers on industrial output and cues from the government on its divestment plans had helped Indian equities make handsome gains Monday, pushing the Sensex by 183 points to close above the 17,000-mark.