Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended higher on Friday, defying weak global cues and fresh concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. The BSE Sensex surged 964.58 points or 1.25% to close at 78,151.45, while the Nifty 50 gained 261.55 points to settle at 24,334.30. The rally was driven by information technology and financial stocks.