A sudden breakthrough in West Asia is poised to break a gruelling, two-year stagnation for Indian stocks, as a US-Iran peace framework triggers a collapse in crude oil prices, a dramatic rally in the rupee, and a long-awaited capitulation by FII short-sellers.
Brent crude plummeted over 4% to $84 a barrel on Monday, following announcements by US and Iranian officials that they have agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the US blockade of Iranian ports, and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz. The geopolitical breakthrough rippled instantly through Indian financial assets. The benchmark BSE Sensex surged nearly 1,300 points to an intraday high of 76,821, while the NSE Nifty 50 reclaimed the psychologically crucial 24,000 mark.
