The Indian rupee continues to trade firm for the third consecutive day today, when it gained another 13 paise to 45 rupees a dollar in the morning trade. This follows banks selling the US currency on account of its weakness inthe overseas market.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange or Forex market, the local currency opened higher at 45 rupees 7 paise a dollar from its last close of 45 rupeees 14 paise. It firmed up further to 45 rupees per dollar before quoting at 45 rupees 10 paise per dollar.

The US dollar index fell for the third day in a row in New York market on Wednesday, to its lowest in more than a week.