India's WPI inflation surges to 11.39% in September on higher food, fuel prices

India's wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation surged to a series-high of 11.39% in September, up from 9.92% in August, driven by rising prices of food, manufactured items, and fuel and power, government data showed on Wednesday.Inflation in the food index rose to 8.66% in September from 7.05% in August. In manufactured items, wholesale inflation climbed to a series-high of 9.76%, compared with 8.37% in the previous month.Inflation in the fuel and power basket also accelerated, reaching 25.85% in September against 22.93% in August, according to data reported by news agency PTI.Why is wholesale inflation rising?Wholesale inflation has been on an upward trajectory since the beginning of the current financial year, with the West Asia war and the resulting blockade of the Strait of Hormuz pushing up global crude oil and fertiliser costs.