High oil prices could trim Indian growth

High energy prices could trim India's economic growth Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee warned on Friday. Speaking in Washington Mukherjee said he expected growth to hit 7.6 percent in 2012-2013, plus or minus 0.25 points, rising another point the year after. "The downside risks of steep global commodity prices especially fuel oil, remains, and could undermine the anticipated growth recovery," he said. But, Mukherjee insisted, "the Indian economy is better placed than many other nations" to weather rises that have hit economies from Colombo to San Francisco. In a sign of Indian fears over slowing growth -- which is seen as vital to lift millions of Indians out of poverty -- India's central bank lowered interest rates for the first time in three years last week to spur growth. It sprung a bigger-than-forecast cut of 50 basis points along with a warning that further easing will be difficult.