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India's GDP Stays Robust in January-March as Domestic Demand Offsets External Weakness
Private investment rose 10.8% and government spending increased 4.9%, helping offset weaker external demand, the data showed.
India's economy grew 7.8% year-on-year in the January-March quarter, the government reported Friday, exceeding a Reuters poll forecast of 7.2% as domestic demand offset external headwinds from the Middle East conflict.
Better farm output and construction activity spurred momentum, with farm output rising 3.6% and construction reaching 8.4%, despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict dampening external demand.
Private consumer spending, which accounts for 57% of Indian GDP, grew 7.1%, while private investment rose 10.8%, according to the National Statistics Office data released Friday.
The Reserve Bank raised its inflation projection to 5.1% on Friday while tempering annual growth forecast to 6.6%, stating policy has turned "cautious" due to deteriorating global conditions.
Growth is expected to moderate starting in the April-June quarter, according to Mumbai-headquartered HDFC Bank's principal economist Sakshi Gupta, while a disappointing monsoon with the lowest rainfall in 11 years threatens future performance.