The Indian rupee appreciated by 11 paise to Rs 46.53 a dollar in early trade on the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Monday, supported by fresh capital inflows by foreign funds and stronger Asian currencies against the dollar.

The rupee gained 8 paise to close at two-week high of Rs 46.64/65 against the dollar in the previous session.

Forex dealers said besides fresh capital inflows into equities by foreign funds, firming Asian currencies against the dollar also provided support to the rupee.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange index, Sensex rose by 0.80 per cent to 18,367.77 points in the opening trade on Monday.