India's stock market experienced a volatile start to 2026, with the Nifty 50 reaching a new high before being unsettled by geopolitical tensions. Investors had hoped for a U.S. trade agreement and tariff reduction, but concerns over the Venezuela-US crisis, Iran instability, and Trump's statements on Russian oil imports have created uncertainty. The potential for new U.S. tariffs on countries importing Russian oil adds to market pressure, particularly on export-driven sectors.