New Delhi, June 30 -- Dalmia Bharat Ltd expects input costs for the cement industry to soften in the coming quarters as tensions in West Asia ease, although the impact of recent disruptions is likely to weigh on the company's earnings through the first half of the fiscal year.

"Cost escalations are coming down," the company's chief financial officer, Dharmendra Tuteja, said in response to shareholder queries during the company's 13th annual general meeting on Tuesday.

Tuteja said the ongoing US-Iran peace talks and the easing of tensions in West Asia were "positive developments". However, the impact of the war will continue to be felt through April-September, before moderating, the CFO said.

"Q1 and Q2 will be affected," he said, addin...