The Indian rupee hit an all-time low on Thursday, influenced by potential foreign outflows from local stocks and a resurgence in the dollar as investors scaled back expectations for aggressive rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve.

The rupee dropped to 23.0047 against the UAE dirham (84.4275 against the US dollar) in early trading, surpassing its previous record low of 23.0027. By 9am UAE time, it was trading at 23.0020, almost unchanged from the previous day.

Intervention by the Reserve Bank of India helped to mitigate the currency's decline, with traders noting strong dollar offers from state-run banks. The benchmark Indian equity indexes, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, both fell around 0.7 per cent.

Indian equities were under pressure due to significant declines in the shares of Adani Group's listed entities, following the indictment of its billionaire chairman in New York over an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme. Shares of the group's listed entities dropped across the board, with Adani Enterprises plunging 20 per cent and Adani Green shedding 18 per cent.

Meanwhile, the dollar's recovery on Wednesday, after a three-day losing streak, also contributed to the rupee's weakness. The dollar index stood at 106.5, having risen 0.4 per cent the previous day, while the rupee's Asian counterparts were mostly stable.

Cautious comments from Fed officials dampened hopes for aggressive rate cuts. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman expressed concern about the central bank cutting interest rates while inflation remains above its target. The likelihood of a December rate cut by the Fed has fallen to 52 per cent from 82 per cent a week earlier, according to CME's FedWatch tool.

Heightened geopolitical risks stemming from the Ukraine-Russia conflict also bolstered the greenback. "Markets need to monitor the dangerous escalation in the Ukraine-Russia war, now driven by increased military engagements from both sides, strategic policy shifts, and heightened international involvement," DBS Bank noted in a report.

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