India's BSE Sensex closed marginally down at 85,213 on Monday, ending a two-day advance, amid persistent foreign fund outflows and lingering uncertainty over a potential US-India trade deal. Foreign investors have pulled $2 billion from Indian equities so far in December, marking the largest outflow in three months. Meanwhile, India's trade secretary said today that the US and India were close to a "framework deal", without providing any timeline. Last week, India's chief economic advisor said that a trade deal is likely only by March. Weakness in auto and financial stocks offset buying in FMCG, consumer durables and IT sectors. Shares of Mahindra & Mahindra (-1.9%), Maruti (-0.9%) and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (-0.3%) fell after JM Financial flagged potential impact on the auto and auto components sector from Mexico’s tariff hike. Adani Ports (-0.8%) and Bajaj Finserv (-0.8%) also saw declines. Leading gainers were Hindustan Unilever, Trent, HCL Tech, Infosys, and Asian Paints.