A broker (L) watches a TV news channel as another monitors share prices at a brokerage firm in Mumbai August 9, 2011. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui/Files

(Reuters) - Indian shares ended lower on Wednesday, their third straight session of falls, dragged down by healthcare and financial stocks amid mounting tensions between the United States and North Korea.

The benchmark BSE Sensex closed down 0.68 percent at 31,797.84, its lowest close in over three weeks.

The broader NSE Nifty ended 0.71 percent lower at 9,908.05, its lowest close since July 21.