The Indonesian rupiah appreciated 0.1 percent against
the dollar after manufacturing activity improved for the second
straight month in April to hit a 10-month high.
    The Indian rupee strengthened for a second day
after a business survey showed that Indian manufacturing
activity expanded for a fourth consecutive month in April,
helped by stronger growth in new orders.
    "The manufacturing PMI prints from Asia was mostly upbeat
and well in the expansion territory, suggesting that the
manufacturing momentum still had room to extend in Q2," OCBC
Bank said in a note. 
    Among other currencies, the Taiwanese dollar was
firmer for a second day, rising 0.1 percent to hit its highest
since Sept. 2014.
    Taiwan's central bank said it sees volatility in the local
currency against the U.S. dollar as "unavoidable" and urged
local companies to be vigilant about currency
hedging.
    Markets are also keeping a close eye on the Fed's policy
statement for hints on the U.S. interest rate outlook.
    The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged
at the end of its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday, but
investors will look to see whether the central bank downplays
the recent soft patch in the economy to leave the door open for
a rate increase in June.
    "The Federal Open Market Committee should provide some
interest but will offer little in the way of a surprise with the
market more focused on the language surrounding June," Stephen
Innes, senior trader at OANDA said.

Reuters