May 2 (Reuters) - India's equity benchmarks are set to open higher on Friday, with sentiment getting a boost after U.S. President Donald Trump said that he has a "potential" trade deal with New Delhi.

Gift Nifty futures GIFc1 were trading at 24,434.5 as of 8:01 a.m. IST, indicating the Nifty 50 .NSEI will open above Wednesday's close of 24,334.2. Indian markets were closed on Thursday.

Other Asian markets were higher, while U.S. equities rose overnight, as solid earnings from big tech overpowered data showing contraction in the U.S. economy. MKTS/GLOB

Trump said on Wednesday that he has "potential" trade deals with India, South Korea and Japan, aiding risk sentiment. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that China wants to start trade negotiations with the U.S.

Expectations of a bilateral trade agreement between the U.S. and India and concerns over the U.S. economy have triggered a shift of funds from the U.S. to emerging markets such as India.

Foreign institutional investors have bought Indian shares for 11 straight sessions, the longest streak of inflows in two years. These investors turned net buyers of Indian equities in April, snapping a three-month selling streak.

"Trump administration has softened its stance on tariffs a bit, while expressing willingness to negotiate with China, improving overall risk sentiment," said Abhishek Goenka, founder and chief executive of India Forex Asset Management.

India's benchmark indexes have gained about 1.3% each this week, and are on course for the longest weekly winning streak in 2025.

Among individual stocks, Adani Enterprises ADEL.NS will be in focus after it reported a drop in fourth-quarter profit on coal trading weakness.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone APSE.NS could rise after the country's top private port operator said it saw higher revenue growth in fiscal year 2026, after reporting a better-than-expected quarterly profit.

STOCKS TO WATCH

** Zomato-parent Eternal ETEA.NS posts 78% drop in fourth-quarter profit as its fast-growing quick commerce arm Blinkit spent aggressively to open more stores

** NCC NCCL.NS bags orders worth 16.63 billion rupees in April

** PNB Housing Finance PNBH.NS will be in focus after media reports say Carlyle Group entity seeks to divest its entire 10.44% stake via block deals on Friday

(Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

((bharath.rajeswaran@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9769003463;))