Mumbai, Feb. 20 -- Indian equity markets opened under pressure on Friday, with benchmark indices Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex declining amid rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, higher crude oil prices, and cautious investor sentiment.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,406.55, down -47.80 points or (-0.19 per cent), while the BSE Sensex also opened lower at 82,272.49, down -225.65 points or -0.27 per cent.

Market experts attributed the weakness to global uncertainty and rising geopolitical risks.

Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, told ANI, "Risk-off sentiment dominates due to Geopolitical tensions (Iran). Fragile investor confidence after US market weakness. Macro backdrop US cycle cooling but resilient. Eurozone stabili...