BENGALURU, Nov 27 Reuters India39;s economic expansion likely moderated but remained strong in the September quarter, supported by robust service activity and solid urban demand despite a global slowdown dampening export growth, according to a Reuters poll of economists.

Gross domestic product GDP growth is forecast to have slowed to 6.8 in the JulySeptember quarter from 7.8 in the previous quarter, according to the median forecast of 55 economists polled from Nov. 1727.

But forecasters see that as a minor slowdown from an exceptionally strong quarter for Asia39;s thirdlargest economy, which is expected by the same group of economists to grow more than 6.0 over coming years, currently the fastest among major economies.

Even as an erratic monsoon led to a spike in inflation last quarter, consumer demand which contributes about 60 of GDP growth remained strong in a country of over 1.4 billion people, largely driven by urban dwellers.

Forecasts for the data, due on Thursday, ranged from 5.6 to 7.4.

Headline growth likely remained resilient…with utilities, services and construction showing robust growth. Domestic demand remains the key economic driver of activity, as external demand continues to remain weak, Rahul Bajoria at Barclays said in a note.

India GDP growth is forecast to average 6.4 this fiscal year ending March 31 and 6.3 in the following year, driven partly by higher government capital expenditure, according to the wider Reuters poll.

That expected…