MUMBAI, Feb 8 (Reuters) - India gold traders continued to pick bargains on Monday (8 February) afternoon as prices steadied in the vicinity of a three-week low, but a weaker rupee weighed on sentiment, dealers said.

Photo: AFP

"Deals are there, but lower compared to last week as people are worried on the currency front," said a dealer with a private bullion dealing bank in Mumbai.

"There was buying on Thursday (4 February) and Friday (5 February), when we sold more than 300 kgs in between $1,051-1,075 (an ounce)," said a dealer with a state-run bank, which sold more than half-a-tonne last week.

International spot gold XAU=, which guides the domestic market, was trading $1,070.65/1,071.45 an ounce as against the previous close of $1,065.55/1,067.55 an ounce.

Buying had picked-up in the most part of last week, dealers added.

"We have advanced orders below $1,050," said the state-run bank dealer.

The Indian rupee edged lower falling to a near seven-week low tracking a more than 1 percent fall in the local sharemarket, but mixed regional peers prevented a further sharp slide. [INR/]

India has imported 35-40 tonnes of gold during January 1-27, up from 9.8 tonnes in the whole of the same month last year, the head of a trade body and bank dealers said.

India's wedding season will be underway in April.