MUMBAI, Nov. 5 -- Falling crude oil prices could give Indian equities a much-needed boost, easing pressure on the country's external finances and improving the outlook for corporate earnings. A series of stunning wins by Democrats in the US midterm elections, giving them control of both chambers of Congress, has raised hopes that political constraints on President Donald Trump could lead to a de-escalation in the US-Iran conflict.

But cheaper oil may not be enough to draw foreign investors back to India in a big way. Global capital continues to favour artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments, and the US political shift is unlikely to disrupt the investment cycle or the strength of Asia's semiconductor supply chain.

To be sure, t...