India growth rate jumps to 8.8%

India's economy grew at its fastest rate for more than two years in Q2, official data reveals.

In the three months to June, GDP was up 8.8% compared with the same period last year.

Although only the 11th biggest economy in the world, India's government has set a target of becoming the world's fastest-growing within four years. It is currently second to China.

Strong industrial and mining output helped boost the growth rate, India's statistics agency said.

Industrial output advanced more than 12%, while mining and quarrying jumped nearly 9%. Agriculture was up 2.8%.

In July, India's central bank said it expected annual growth for the current financial year to come in at about 8.5%.

But the bank has also said bringing down inflation, which topped 11% in July, remains a priority.