MUMBAI, India (AP) -  India says inflation softened to 7.2 percent in December, as lower core inflation offset higher food prices.

The better than expected number has raised expectations that the central bank will cut rates when it meets later this month.

India's economy is on track to grow at its slowest pace in a decade this fiscal year, but high inflation has made the central bank wary of cutting interest rates to kickstart growth.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, dropped to 4.2 percent in December from 4.5 percent in November.

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