• The Indian Rupee weakens in Wednesday’s early Asian session.
• USD demand and cautious mood might undermine the INR, while lower crude oil prices and RBI intervention could limit losses. 
• Investors will closely monitor the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate decision on Wednesday.

The Indian Rupee (INR) edges lower on Wednesday. The weakness of local currency is largely driven by persistent US Dollar (USD) high demand for month-end payments, dragging the INR lower near record lows over the last few trading sessions. The cautious mood and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could weigh on the INR. 

However, a further decline in crude oil prices could support the Indian Rupee as India is the third largest consumer of oil behind the US and China. The volatility might be limited as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to continue intervening to limit sudden depreciation.

The US Federal Reserve (Fed) is widely anticipated to hold the interest rate in the range of 5.25%-5.50% at its two-day FOMC meeting that concludes on Wednesday. Traders will keep an eye on Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s press conference, which might offer some hints about the Fed’s potential rate cut plans. On the Indian docket, the final reading of HSBC Manufacturing PMI will be published on Thursday, which is projected to improve to 58.5 in July from the previous reading of 58.3.