Bhubaneswar, March 2 -- Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday as escalating military tensions in the Middle East rattled investor sentiment. The Nifty 50 fell 519.40 points, or 2.06 per cent, to 24,659.25, while the BSE Sensex dropped 2,775.14 points, or 3.41 per cent, to 78,512.05. The sell-off reflected heightened nervousness across domestic equities amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Experts noted that markets were trying to find direction after reports that Iran's new leadership signalled willingness to resume negotiations with the US and would not block the Straits of Hormuz. However, concerns about rising oil prices, disruption of trade with Gulf partners, and the safety of around nine million Indians working in the regio...