HELSINKI, April 24 (Reuters) - Finnish elevator and escalator maker Kone reported on Wednesday a first-quarter operating profit that beat expectations, citing growth in India, South-East Asia and North America.

Operating profit grew to 262 million euros ($280 million) from a year-earlier 238 million, against an average estimate of 256 million in a poll of analysts provided by the company, on 0.5% sales growth. ($1 = 0.9344 euros) (Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, editing by Anna Ringstrom)