Indian stock markets tumbled sharply Monday as West Asia conflict escalates into its fifth week. The BSE Sensex fell 1,191.24 points to 72,391.98 while NSE Nifty dropped 349.45 points to 22,470.15 in early trade. Rising crude oil prices and persistent foreign fund outflows weighed heavily on sentiment. Brent crude jumped 2.32 percent to $115.3 per barrel, intensifying inflation concerns. Foreign investors have withdrawn approximately $12.3 billion from Indian equities in March alone, marking the worst monthly outflow on record. Banking stocks including Axis Bank and ICICI Bank led declines while selective sectors like Reliance Industries and TCS managed modest gains. Geopolitical tensions continue dominating market behavior across Asia as investors reassess growth prospects amid elevated energy costs and currency pressures.
