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-India's blue-chip indexes pared early gains on Monday, as global stocks' rally stalled over doubts about the expected U.S. rate cut in March 2024, ahead of a key U.S. inflation reading and central bank policy decisions.

The NSE Nifty 50 index rose 0.13% to 20,997.10, while the S&P BSE Sensex settled 0.15% higher at 69,928.53.

Both indexes gained about 0.3% each during the session, with the Sensex surpassing 70,000 levels for the first time in intraday trade.

Asian markets declined. The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index lost 0.33% on worries about the U.S. rate outlook on the back of stronger-than-expected jobs data and deflationary concerns in China. [MKTS/GLOB]

The U.S. consumer price inflation data and Federal Reserve's rate decision, both due later in the week, are likely to influence the near-term interest rate outlook and market trajectory, two analysts said.

"India represents the single best choice in both Asia ex-Japan and emerging market universes," analysts at Macquarie said in a note, citing strong domestic fund flows, steady earnings and return of foreign fund inflows as key supporting factors for the rally in Indian markets.

Pharma stocks fell 0.76%, led by a 5.04% decline in Dr. Reddy's Laboratories after its facility in Hyderabad city received observations from the US' drug regulator. The stock was also the top Nifty 50 loser.

Energy gained 0.40%, supported by the ongoing drop in crude oil prices.

Brent Crude futures recorded their seventh consecutive week of losses on Friday, and hovered around $76 per barrel in Asian trading hours. A fall in oil prices is positive for importers of the commodity like India. [O/R]

The more domestically-focussed small- and mid-caps gained 0.74% and 0.84%, respectively, supported by domestic mutual fund inflows.