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Indian rupee traded flat against US dollar on Friday weighed down by a negative trend in domestic equities and elevated crude oil prices. Sentiments remained down-beat with report stating that India's trade deficit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has surged, more than doubling since the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2010. According to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India's exports to ASEAN member countries stood at $25,627.89 million in the year 2010-11, while imports from these nations amounted to $30,607.96 million. However, the report said the situation has deteriorated significantly over the past decade, with the deficit expanding at an alarming rate. Some concern also came as provisional data from the NSE showed foreign institutional investors (FIIs) net sold shares worth Rs 4,260.33 crore on April 18. The strength of the American currency in the overseas market also dented investor sentiments. 

The partially convertible currency is currently trading flat at its previous close of 83.52 on Thursday. The currency touched a high and low of 83.5850 and 83.4675 respectively.