New Delhi, March 27 -- Domestic equity benchmarks began the trading session on a weak note on Friday, tracking a sharp downturn in global markets driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and downward revisions of economic forecasts.

The BSE Sensex stood at 74,563.22 points, marking a decline of 710.23 points or 0.94 per cent at 9:16 am. Simultaneously, the NSE Nifty 50 traded at 23,085.15 points, down by 221.30 points or 0.95 per cent.

Both indices recorded significant losses in the opening minutes of trade as investors reacted to uncertainty surrounding international peace efforts. The initial drop in the benchmark indices erased previous gains as the focus shifted toward risk mitigation in a volatile international environment.

Ajay...