Dalal Street sees massive bloodbath as Middle East tensions intensify, what should investors do? Here's what NSE’s Harish Ahuja says

Global markets have been on a bit of a roller-coaster ride lately, shocked by the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has now entered its fourth week. Just by Thursday, he sharp sell off wipped off Rs 12.87 lakh crore from investor's wealth as Dalal Street witnessed a bloodbath. Going back further, ever since the crisis unfolded in the region, investors have lost over Rs 37 lakh crore as of March 19.As indices swing, investors are left staring at red screens and wondering whether to act or sit tight. The big question is what should you do? Make a move now, or wait for that golden opportunity. But amid the noise, a familiar reminder is making the rounds: market moves may be sharp in the short term, but reacting too quickly can often do more harm than good. Speaking on the volatility in global markets, Harish K Ahuja, head of sustainability, Power & Carbon Markets, Listing & Social Stock Exchange at the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), has called on retail investors to stay steady and avoid reacting to short-term market swings. Commenting on recent trends, Ahuja said that the correction being witnessed is not restricted to India but is part of a broader global movement. “Most of the exchanges across the globe are seeing a correction of 7% to 10%. And this up and down is a part of the very market,” he said.He cautioned retail participants against panic-driven decisions during periods of uncertainty. “My suggestion to retail investors: don't panic. Show the patience, you are an investor, not a trader,” he said.According to Ahuja, India’s economic fundamentals continue to remain supportive despite external pressures. “My understanding of the Indian market, India is growing. Indian fundamentals in terms of GDP growth, inflation, most of the indicators, be it industrial growth, electricity consumption, are very positive,” he stated.He also highlighted the strength and scale of India’s capital markets, pointing to strong participation levels and activity. “India has witnessed the largest number of IPOs in the world. We are one of the largest exchanges in terms of the number of unique investors and unique accounts,” he said.Ahuja highlighted that investing should be viewed with a long-term perspective rather than a daily trading mindset. “Investment means, for me, the definition of investment is once you buy a stock, at least for the next five to ten years, don't watch the stock daily,” he said.Reiterating his outlook, he added that patience and an understanding of macroeconomic fundamentals are key to navigating volatility. “I think I am always positive about the market because I am a patient investor. Once you have patience, once you understand the fundamentals of the economy and the country as a whole, you should not panic.”He further indicated that investors who maintain discipline and focus on long-term horizons are more likely to withstand short-term geopolitical disruptions and benefit from market growth over time.