The Times of India

Middle East tensions are set to inflate your grocery bills, with prices for dal, dry fruits, and sweets potentially soaring up to 30%. Disruptions to trade routes and rising freight charges are impacting supply chains linked to Iran, Israel, and the US. While rice might offer some relief, expect your favorite comfort foods and kitchen staples to become significantly costlier.

Middle East tensions could temporarily disrupt India's global capability center (GCC) growth. While immediate investments might pause due to uncertainty, experts suggest companies may eventually shift operations to India for greater stability. This could position India as a key beneficiary, though prolonged conflict impacting oil prices poses a risk to global tech spending and India's GCC ambitions.

India is the worlds fastest growing major economy and a fast-growing consumer of oil. Its vulnerability to supply shocks stems from the relatively small reserves and strategic oil reserves.

Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, investors are flocking to safe-haven assets like gold and silver ETFs. Experts suggest a higher allocation to gold for stability, with silver playing a complementary role. While gold ETFs offer primary protection, silver's industrial demand makes it more volatile. A 10-15% portfolio allocation to precious metals is advised.

Qatar remains Indias largest LNG supplier - it accounts for nearly half of the countrys imports last year, based on vessel-tracking information. Qatar remains Indias largest LNG supplier - it accounts for nearly half of the countrys imports last year.

The Sensex plunged by more than 1,000 points, slipping below the 81,000 mark for the first time in over a month. The Nifty 50 also dropped sharply, losing upwards of 300 points and falling beneath the crucial 25,000 support level.

The geopolitical strain has pushed up global oil and gas prices. For India, which relies heavily on imports, this surge translates into a higher import bill and adds to inflationary pressures. India depends on overseas purchases for almost 90 per cent of its crude oil needs.

Asian stocks tumbled Tuesday amid escalating Iran tensions, impacting regional energy supplies. Japan's Nikkei and South Korea's Kospi saw significant drops, with energy and defense shares hit hard. Oil prices climbed, while US airline stocks faced pressure from rising fuel costs and potential travel disruptions.

Gold and silver prices surged on Monday due to escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions, with gold reaching Rs 1.66 lakh per 10 grams and silver Rs 2.86 lakh per kg. Experts predict further record highs if the conflict persists, driven by gold's safe-haven status. Investors are capitalizing on price dips to accumulate despite the rally.

Dalal Street investors lost Rs 6.6 lakh crore as escalating West Asian war triggered a sharp fall in stock markets. The Sensex closed 1.3% lower at 80,239 points, reflecting heightened geopolitical risks and investor uncertainty. Foreign funds led the selling, with outflows reaching nearly Rs 3,300 crore.

Saudi Arabia significantly boosted crude oil supplies to India in February, nearly matching Russia's top position. This surge, the highest in six years, reflects a shift by refiners away from some Russian volumes. However, ongoing Gulf disruptions may force India to seek alternative import routes, potentially altering the supply landscape.

Pump prices for petrol and diesel have remained unchanged since April 2022. Domestic fuel prices have stayed steady even when global fuel rates climbed due to higher crude costs.

How much are China, Japan, India, and South Korea exposed to Middle East oil supply disruption risks? Where do their strategic oil reserves stand? Lets take a look:

The rate will be formally notified by the Government of India, after which the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation will credit the interest to subscribers accounts.

India is closely monitoring its crude oil and fuel supply amid escalating Middle East tensions. The government assures domestic availability and affordability of petroleum products. Disruptions in Qatar's LNG production and Saudi Arabia's oil refinery have already impacted global markets, with European gas prices surging.

Estimates placed IIP at 169.4 for January 2026, compared with 161.6 in January 2025. This follows a stronger reading in December 2025, when industrial production had grown by 7.8 per cent.`

Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn on Monday, with the Nifty50 and Sensex both registering substantial losses. Escalating Middle East tensions, rising crude oil prices, and consistent foreign investor withdrawals fueled widespread selling. Upstream oil producers and defense stocks bucked the trend, showing gains amidst the broader market decline.

Ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran is impacting India's economy, particularly through rising crude oil prices and potential trade disruptions. Policymakers are monitoring the situation, with immediate effects seen in energy costs and stock market declines. Broader consequences include inflation, current account deficit widening, and supply chain interruptions.

Dalal Street will observe a holiday on March 3rd for Holi, providing a break for traders and investors. The stock market operates on weekdays, excluding weekends and exchange-declared holidays, with specific timings for pre-open, regular trading, closing, and block deal sessions.

Escalating Middle East tensions are significantly impacting India's oil imports, with crude prices surging due to concerns over the Strait of Hormuz. This could lead to higher inflation and increased costs for everyday products. Experts warn of potential price hikes and widening deficits, urging investors to prepare for a volatile market.

India and Canada aim to boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, accelerating negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Leaders discussed critical minerals, uranium, and defense cooperation, with several MoUs exchanged, including those on CEPA Terms of Reference and critical mineral collaboration.

Aviation and travel stocks experienced sharp sell-offs as fresh Middle East hostilities disrupted regional air traffic. Several countries shut their airspace, impacting major hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. IndiGo suspended flights to the Middle East, offering customers flexibility for bookings made before February 28, 2026, for travel until March 7, 2026.

The appeals arose from consumer complaints filed by flat purchasers between 2017 and 2019 before the NCDRC. The respondents had booked residential flats in the developers Parsvnath Exotica project between 2007 and 2011 and had paid almost the entire sale consideration.

Global oil markets are preparing for potential supply disruptions after US airstrikes on Iran over the weekend revived concerns that shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could be affected.

The escalation has raised expectations of increased export opportunities and strengthened investor sentiment toward the sector. Paras Defence led the gains, climbing 13.5%. Meanwhile, HAL, BEL and Bharat Dynamics advanced by up to 3.5% on the BSE.

Gold price prediction today: Rising tensions in the Middle East and developments around US, Israel and Iran are expected to keep gold prices volatile this week, says Manav Modi, Senior Analyst, Commodity Research at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.

The UAE has shut its Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets for two days, March 2-3, 2026, due to escalating Iran-US-Israel conflict fallout. This unprecedented move follows Iranian retaliatory strikes, disrupting regional business and investor confidence. Other Gulf markets saw sharp declines, with oil prices surging amid fears of supply disruptions.