India should aim 8% avg growth between 2012-17: Montek

India should aim for an 8% average economic growth over the next five years beginning April 2012, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, said on Wednesday.

He said mounting uncertainties in the global economy have increased risks to India's economic growth.

"There is merit in being realistic," he said.

India's economy is battling its worst slowdown in a decade. Economic growth for the current fiscal year that ends in March is forecast to be 5.7-5.9%, the slowest since 2002-03.