Indian industry output up 17.6%

NEW DELHI - India's industrial production grew 17.6 percent in April, more than economists predicted, strengthening the case for an interest-rate increase even as Europe's debt woes threaten the global economy.

Output at factories, utilities and mines rose after gaining a revised 13.9 percent in March from a year earlier, the statistics department said in a statement in New Delhi. The April increase was faster than the 14.3 percent median forecast of 24 economists in a Bloomberg News survey.

The announcement affirms Asia has so far been untouched by the crisis emanating from Greece, with data from China's exports to job growth in South Korea and Australia beating analysts' estimates. The Reserve Bank of India has said it plans to counter inflation by raising rates at a "moderate" pace on risks posed by Europe.