Stock market crash, March 9 -- Indian stock market investors are unable to catch a break. Just when markets were hoping to look up following the trade deal announcement and earnings recovery, the Middle East conflict has cast a fresh pall of gloom.

As the US-Israel-led conflict with Iran entered its second week and oil prices rose to near $120 per barrel, pushing the benchmark indices - Sensex and Nifty 50 - to their worst fall in a month on Monday, March 9.

The high crude oil prices pose a significant risk for India, which is the third-highest oil importer. Sustained increases in oil typically lead to higher inflation, currency pressure, and divergence in sector profitability.

If crude remains elevated for a prolonged period due to te...