January 26, 2002	Saturday	Ziqa’ad 11, 1422

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NEW DELHI, Jan 25: India on Friday flexed its muscles by test-firing a missile seen as the linchpin of its nuclear capability.

New Delhi said it had tested a shorter variant of its nuclear-capable Agni missile as part of a series meant to guarantee the credibility of its nuclear forces.

The Agni series of missiles — being developed to carry nuclear warheads — have in the past been tested to a range of more than 2,000km and can carry a payload of up to one ton.

Analysts said the test — on the eve of India’s most important national celebration, Republic Day — was meant to send a message to the world that New Delhi is resolved in the standoff with Pakistan. India said the timing of the test was based on so-called technical factors.

Indian external affairs ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao said the missile test in the Bay of Bengal, off eastern India, had a range of less than 700km.

The longer-range version is seen by analysts as a deterrent to China, rather than Pakistan.

India said it had informed in advance the permanent members of the UN Security Council, as well as Pakistan, Germany, Japan and Spain.

“Our aim is really to ensure that we have the indigenous capability to guarantee the credibility of our minimum nuclear deterrent,” the spokeswoman said. “The test was undertaken in a non-provocative manner across international waters.

“It has no political significance or relationship to any event,” she said.

Analysts said the test, probably planned at least a month in advance, was a way of showing India meant business in demanding Pakistan end what it calls “cross-border terrorism” by preventing extremists based there from attacking Indian targets.

VAJPAYEE: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said the test-firing of the missile would be good for the country’s security.

Mr Vajpayee was speaking to reporters after India announced it had tested the missile as part of a series of tests to guarantee the credibility of its nuclear forces and deter China and Pakistan.

“This will be beneficial from India’s security point of view. The date of the test had been decided beforehand. I once again congratulate our scientists,” he said.—Reuters