The Rupee opened weaker on Thursday, tracking Asian peers, with traders expecting importer dollar demand to limit gains sparked by New Delhi and Washington clinching a long-awaited trade deal. The rupee has recovered from record lows near 92 after the U.S. trade deal was announced late on Monday but has been unable to rise above the 90 handle. Traders said dollar demand from local corporates, including a large conglomerate over the past two sessions, has capped the rupee's near-term gains. The dollar steadied at the start of Asian trade on Thursday ahead of interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, both of which are expected to keep rates on hold later in the global day. The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was up 0.2% at 96.671, having traded near a two-week high earlier. The euro was steady at $1.1800 ahead of the European Central Bank decision, where it is expected to keep rates on hold. Investors' attention will be focused on the post-policy press conference to gauge the outlook for rates over the coming months. Against the yen , the U.S. dollar was fetching 156.92 yen, keeping steady as Japan's election campaign enters its final stretch ahead of Sunday's poll. The dollar has gained some strength this week as financial markets assess U.S corporate earnings seasons, now halfway complete, and stocks turn risk-off. Fed funds futures are pricing an implied 90.6% probability that the U.S. central bank will hold rates at its next two-day meeting ending on March 18, unchanged from a day earlier, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool. The Australian dollar was up 0.1% at $0.70045 following the release of trade balance data which was a little ahead of market estimates. The New Zealand dollar was 0.1% firmer at $0.60045. Oil prices fell on Thursday after the U.S. and Iran agreed to hold talks in Oman on Friday, easing concerns of a potential military conflict between them that could disrupt supply from the key Middle East-producing region. Brent crude futures fell $1, or 1.4%, to $68.47 per barrel at 0152 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude prices fell 91 cents, or also 1.4%, to trade at $64.23.......