<h1>India manufacturing PMI hits 59.3 in August, strongest in over 17 years as production and demand surge</h1> India's manufacturing sector recorded a seasonally adjusted PMI of 59.3 in August, its strongest operating-conditions reading in over 17 years, driven by rapid production efficiency, robust domestic demand and advertising success. New export orders softened after the imposition of steep US tariffs late in August, but overall new orders remained near July's five-year high and firms reported new work from multiple regions. Employment rose for the 18th consecutive month and purchases of inputs increased, with intermediate goods leading sales and output gains. A senior government economic adviser cautioned the tariff-induced trade disruption may affect growth in the current and possibly part of the next quarter.