Indian equities advanced, led by strong gains in pharma and IT sectors, as foreign institutional investors turned net buyers amid easing geopolitical tensions. The Nifty Pharma index rose 1.8%, while Nifty IT gained 1.2%, driven by renewed optimism in export-oriented earnings. Analysts said improving global sentiment and stable rupee trends are boosting outlooks for defensive sectors. Broader market sentiment remained positive, with investors positioning for steady Q3 growth momentum.