'Short Range' Missile Tested, No Message to Anyone: India

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 25, 2002

'Short Range' Missile Tested, No Message to Anyone: India

India's External Affairs Ministry clarified Friday in New Delhi that the Agni missile test firedearly in the morning was a "short range" one and the test was not meant to send "a message to anybody."

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

India's External Affairs Ministry clarified Friday in New Delhi that the Agni missile test firedearly in the morning was a "short range" one and the test was not meant to send "a message to anybody."

The missile, which was test fired from Wheeler's Island off thecoast of east India's Orissa state, was "short range" with a capability of less than 700 kilometers, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

An earlier report by the PTI had said that the missile was the intermediate range ballistic missile Agni-II, which has a range upto 2,000 kilometers.

The spokesperson also added that the timing of the launch was solely guided by technical considerations and there was no political significance or relationship with any event.

"We do not view missile tests as sending a political message," she noted.

The launch was planned in advance and not "abrupt or sudden", and it was undertaken in a "non-provocative" and "predictable and transparent" manner, she added.

Several countries, including Pakistan, have been informed in advance before the test fire, said the spokesperson, dismissing fears that this could aggravate tension in the region.

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah wasalso quoted as saying: "We are not sending any message to anyone. Test firing of Agni is a part of the ongoing missile development program of India to develop its defense."

Pakistan had said earlier that the Indian missile test was "prejudicial" to regional stability and warned New Delhi that it was ready to defend itself against any aggression.

Questions?Comments? Click here

India Test Fires Agni-II Missile