January 10, 2003	Friday	Ziqa’ad 6, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: The international community has criticized the Indian test of its intermediate-range ballistic missile, fearing it would exacerbate tensions in the region.

Pakistan, Britain, Canada and Japan joined the countries which voiced their concern over the Indian missile test.

Pakistani Foreign Office Spokesman Aziz A Khan on Thursday said India’s ballistic missile test was “not an unexpected development as its nuclear and missile ambitions were well known.”

Asked if Pakistan would respond, the spokesman stated: “Pakistan conduct tests when our technical requirements so demand.”

The British Foreign Office said it “regrets India’s decision to test a ballistic missile.”

“India’s test-launch of a long-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons sends the “wrong signals within the (South Asian) region and beyond,” Britain said.

“We believe that restraint in developing possible nuclear weapon delivery systems is in the long-term interest of India and the region. The test sends the wrong signals within the region and beyond,” said a spokesman.

Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham expressed “deep concern” over India’s reported intention to test several ballistic missiles and urged it to cancel the tests.

“Canada deeply regrets that India is once again planning to test nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, particularly at a time when tensions with Pakistan remain high,” Graham said in a statement issued by his office.

“We fear that these tests will exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region and detract from constructive efforts to achieve a peaceful solution.”

Canada “strongly urges India not to conduct these missile flight tests,” Graham said, adding that India should sign on to the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation which was launched last November.

Japan expressed its “regret” at India’s ballistic missile test. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement received here said, the test “would intensify the missile development race in South Asia.”

India’s missile test coincided with the visit of its new army chief’s visit to Indian occupied Kashmir.

According to an Indian army spokesman the army chief general N.C. Vij early on Thursday morning visited forward army locations along Line of Control.—APP