Complete the sentence meaningfully using the best possible starter. Choose the option that most effectively conveys the sequence and impact described in the original sentences.

(I) India's current account deficit widened significantly in the last quarter due to rising crude oil imports.

(II) The rupee depreciated to a record low against the US dollar during the same period.

(A) Because India's current account deficit...

(B) Although a weaker rupee makes Indian exports more competitive...

(C) Since the rupee depreciated to a record...

To determine the best starter that meaningfully combines the two sentences, let us analyze the logical relationship between them:
Sentence (I) describes a cause: India's current account deficit widened significantly due to rising crude oil imports.
Sentence (II) describes the effect/consequence that occurred during the same period: The rupee depreciated to a record low against the US dollar.

Now, let us evaluate the given starters:

Starter (A): "Because India's current account deficit..."
This starter establishes a cause-and-effect relationship. If we complete the sentence using this starter, it flows logically:
"Because India's current account deficit widened significantly in the last quarter due to rising crude oil imports, the rupee depreciated to a record low against the US dollar during the same period."
This perfectly conveys the sequence and impact described in the original sentences. Therefore, (A) is a valid starter.

Starter (B): "Although a weaker rupee makes Indian exports more competitive..."
This starter introduces a concession or contrast ("Although...") regarding export competitiveness, which is not mentioned or implied as a direct consequence in the original sentences. Thus, (B) cannot be used to combine these sentences while preserving the original meaning.

Starter (C): "Since the rupee depreciated to a record..."
This starter suggests that the depreciation of the rupee is the cause of the widening current account deficit. However, the original sentences state that the widening of the current account deficit was due to rising crude oil imports, and the rupee depreciation happened during the same period as an effect of the economic pressure (or parallel event). Reversing the cause-and-effect relationship using "Since" in this manner distorts the meaning. Thus, (C) is incorrect.

Therefore, only starter (A) effectively and correctly combines the two sentences.