A benchmark index for Indian equities managed to pare intra-day losses and put up modest gains on Wednesday helped by positive cues from European markets. Buying was seen in metal and capital goods stocks.The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 17,179.64 points, closed at 17,300.58 points, 107.03 points or 0.62 per cent up from its previous close at 17,193.55 points. The Sensex was trading lacklustre for most part of the day and fell to an intra-day low of 17,061.55 points. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also picked up after a weak start and closed at 5,235.7 points, up 36.45 points.