New Delhi, Sept. 12 -- Brent crude oil prices surged to a four-month high of USD 108.77 per barrel on Friday as tensions in West Asia escalated, raising concerns over the impact of higher energy costs on India's economic growth, inflation and external sector.

Brent was trading at around USD 107.75 per barrel at the time of reporting, after gaining more than 12 per cent over the past week amid concerns over global energy supplies and disruptions to key energy corridors.

Economist Sunil Sinha, former Senior Economist at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), said a sustained rise in crude prices could weigh on India's growth by increasing inflation and import costs while widening risks to the current account.

Sinha es...