NEW DELHI, July 20: India's inflation rate was unchanged despite sharp fluctuations in some staple foods, official data showed on Friday. Inflation came in flat at 4.27 per cent for the week ended July 7, according to the wholesale price index, India's most closely watched cost-of-living monitor.

The week saw a 16 per cent fall in fruit prices but a rise in costs for vegetables, spices, imported edible oil and sugar.

The figure keeps inflation well within the central bank's medium-term inflation target of 4 to 4.5pc and well below its goal of around five per cent for the current financial year to March 2008. The central bank will be closely watching the inflation pattern ahead of its next policy review on July 31 although it is now widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged.—AFP