(Reuters) - India's retail inflation rate eased slightly in April, partly due to lower fuel prices, although food prices remained elevated, government data showed on Monday.

Annual retail inflation in April was 4.83%, down from 4.85% in March. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast April retail inflation at 4.80%.

Food inflation, which accounts for nearly half of the overall consumer price basket, rose 8.70% in April, compared with an 8.52% rise in the previous month.

COMMENTARY:

GARIMA KAPOOR, ECONOMIST, INSTITUTIONAL EQUITIES, ELARA SECURITIES, MUMBAI

"The CPI inflation for April was in line with expectations and continued to signal comfort with respect to core prices."

"Recent correction in commodity prices especially crude oil has been supportive even as U.S. macro-economic data continues to point towards delayed start to the rate cut cycle."

"With global developments dominating the monetary policy reaction function, we do not expect the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee to cut rates in calendar year 2024. We expect the first rate cut in Q4FY25."

(Nishit Navin in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng)