Mumbai, July 2 -- Indian benchmark equity indices ended higher on Thursday, supported by easing crude oil prices, dovish remarks from the US Federal Reserve Chair and optimism surrounding the India-Japan Summit.

The Nifty 50 settled at 24,175.70, gaining 169.85 points or 0.71 per cent, while the BSE Sensex rose 579.48 points or 0.75 per cent to close at 77,502.12.

According to market experts, lower crude oil prices and expectations of a supportive global interest rate environment boosted investor sentiment during the session.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, said, "Indian markets ended higher as easing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz pushed crude prices lower, while dovish remarks from the Fed Chair rein...