New Delhi, Sept. 1 -- India's manufacturing growth slowed to its weakest pace in more than five years in August as a sharp moderation in output and new orders curbed input purchasing, even as export demand rose and inflation moderated, a survey revealed on Tuesday.

The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 52.8 in August down from 53.5 in July, the weakest improvement in the sector's health in five years. The PMI also remained below the flash reading of 52.9, underscoring that continued tensions in West Asia have raised fresh doubts among manufacturers.

Despite the fall, the PMI reading remained above the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction, though it was below its long-run average of 54.2.

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