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India Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile
NEW DELHI (News Agencies) - India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-II intermediate ballistic missile for the second time Wednesday, sparking trenchant criticism from South Asian neighbor and arch-rival Pakistan.
The test coincided with the last day of a nine-day tour of India by Li Peng, the second-highest Chinese leader.
Agni-II has a range of around 2,500 kilometers (1,560 miles), making it capable of delivering a nuclear warhead anywhere in Pakistan and deep into China.
The missile was first tested in April 1999, drawing strong protests from Britain, the United States and Pakistan. Islamabad responded within days by test firing its Ghauri-II missile, with a range of 1,500 kilometers.
According to an Indian defense ministry statement, the Agni-II was tested at 10:00am (0430 GMT) from the eastern coastal state of Orissa "in its final operational configuration."
Pakistan on Wednesday said the test was a direct threat to Islamabad's security and a blow to brittle regional stability.
The foreign ministry said the test was part of India's "ambitious nuclear and missile program, which posed a direct threat to Pakistan's security and has been a matter of concern for the international community.
"India's nuclear ambitions, which are clear from its draft nuclear doctrine announced in 1999, have a destabilizing effect on the region.
"Pakistan reiterates its proposal to India that the two countries should agree to a Strategic Restraint Regime in order to promote nuclear and conventional stabilization and to strengthen peace and stability in South Asia."
Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes and Air Force Chief A.Y. Tipnis witnessed Wednesday's test.
"Flight test results have indicated that mission objectives were met satisfactorily," an Indian statement said.
Complimenting the scientists and engineers of the Defense Research and Development Organization, Fernandes highlighted the "role and relevance of Agni-II in meeting our national security interests."
The Agni-II is a two-stage, all solid motor missile capable of carrying a one ton nuclear warhead and being fired from a mobile launcher.
The missile is considered crucial to India's plans for developing an effective nuclear deterrent following its shock underground nuclear tests in May 1998.
Foreign ministry spokesman R.S. Jassal said India had informed all five permanent members of the U.N. security council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - about the imminent test, as well as Pakistan, Germany and Japan.
"They were all informed in advance," Jassal said, adding that a general maritime and aviation notice had also been issued.
"This was done keeping with international practice and as part of a confidence-building exercise," he said.
Jassal denied that New Delhi was attempting to send any message to Islamabad or Beijing with the timing of the test, saying a certain "window" of dates had been set and kept to.
India has recently set in motion initiatives that could eventually result in the resumption of direct bilateral talks between New Delhi and Islamabad over the Kashmir dispute.
"Pakistan knows that the Agni test has nothing to do with them. But if they want to make a song and dance over it, then it's up to them," said defense analyst K. Subrahmanyam.
The test followed a highly successful tour of India by China's Li Peng, who struck a notably conciliatory stand urging both countries to bury their past differences, including a bitter border war, and build a closer economic and trade relationship.
He was the most senior Chinese leader to visit following the rift caused by India's 1998 nuclear tests.
According to C. Uday Bhaskar, deputy director of the Institute of Defense Studies and Analysis, the fact that the Agni-II was tested during Li's visit was evidence of the "growing robustness" of Indo-Chinese ties.
"India has made it clear on many occasions that its WMD [weapons of mass destruction] capabilities would be for defensive purposes only and that it should not be interpreted as a provocative act" Bhaskar said.
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