The Rupee opened weak as the rupee and government bonds are expected to remain under pressure ahead of a key Reserve Bank of India policy decision this week, with a majority of economists predicting an interest rate cut. Dollar-selling interventions by the central bank have helped the rupee hold above its all-time low, but traders say the pressure could ease if portfolio inflows pick up following a stronger-than-expected GDP print. India's economy grew 8.2% year-on-year in July-September, accelerating from the 7.8% growth reported in the previous quarter, data on Friday showed. Portfolio inflows could help push the rupee towards 89, but a sustained rebound seems unlikely, a trader at a private bank said. The best strategy for exporters is to keep selling cash or spot dollars while hedging about 20%-30% of their receivables, while importers should capture dips on USD/INR, said Anil Bhansali, head of treasury at Finrex Treasury Advisors. The RBI raised its short dollar positions in the forex market by $4.2 billion to $63.6 billion in October, underlining efforts to counter pressure on the rupee. In bond markets, the 10-year benchmark 6.33% 2035 bond yield settled at 6.5463% on Friday. Traders expect the yield to stay between 6.51% and 6.58% until the monetary policy decision on Friday, which will act as a major directional trigger. The Reserve Bank of India will likely cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points in its December 5 decision, according to a majority of economists polled by Reuters, who also expect the rate to stay there through 2026. The RBI has already slashed the repo rate by 100 bps in January-June but has maintained the status quo since then. The yen rose on Monday, helped by comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda who left the door open to a near-term rate hike, while the dollar began the month on the back foot as investors ramped up bets of a U.S. rate cut this month. That helped the Japanese currency extend gains, climbing 0.4% to a session high of 155.49 per dollar. Traders have been pricing in a greater chance of a BOJ rate hike this month, with the yen's recent slide - it fell 1.4% in November - adding to the case for raising rates. The euro was up 0.04% at $1.1605, while sterling last bought $1.3239, after having clocked its best week in over three months on Friday in a relief rally following British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves' budget reveal. Against a basket of currencies, the greenback was down 0.05% to 99.39, having lost 0.7% last week. Traders are now pricing in an 87% chance the Fed will cut by 25 basis points when it meets next week, according to the CME FedWatch tool. The Australian dollar rose 0.08% to $0.6553, while the New Zealand dollar was little changed at $0.5738. Oil prices rose as much as 1.5% on Monday after OPEC+ members reaffirmed a plan to pause production increases in the first quarter of next year and the prospect of U.S. action against oil producer Venezuela unsettled the market. Brent crude futures later pared gains to sit up 0.98%, or $62.99, a barrel by 0052 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $59.12, up 57 cents, or 0.99%.......