BENGALURU: India’s equity benchmarks rose on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous day’s landmark trade deal with the European Union, while capital expenditure-linked stocks jumped ahead of the federal budget. The Nifty 50 rose 0.66% to 25,342.75, while the BSE Sensex added 0.6% to 82,344.68. The benchmark indexes have risen about 1% in two sessions. The EU trade deal signed on Tuesday scrapped all tariffs on more than 90% of Indian goods. “This deal opens a high-value consumer market for Indian exporters while positioning India as Europe’s most reliable long-term growth partner…. (It also) reshapes capital flows (and) strengthens investor confidence,” said Amit Jain, co-founder of Ashika Global Family Office Services. Thirteen of the 16 major sectors logged gains. Energy and metal stocks led the rise with a 4.2% and 2.3% gain, respectively, on higher crude oil and base metal prices. Broader mid-caps and small-caps rose 1.7% and 2.3%, respectively. “Sectors that are expected to be in focus in the budget, like railways and defence, have done well today.