Indian Markets Face Volatility Amid Middle East Tensions and Rising Oil Prices

Indian equity markets faced significant volatility and downward pressure in early March 2026 amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the US-Iran conflict, which pushed crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. The Nifty 50 index declined sharply, testing key support levels around 24,300 and 24,000, with analysts warning of further downside risks. Financials and banking sectors led losses, while defence and select pharma stocks showed resilience. Experts advise cautious trading, portfolio diversification, and monitoring technical support zones amid ongoing uncertainty.