NEW DELHI, May 30: Observing that testing of nuclear-capable Hatf V missile by Pakistan was "escalating" the arms race, Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil said on Sunday if it persisted with such tests, India will have to take note of it.

"It is escalating the arms race," Mr Patil told reporters in Bangalore, according to the Press Trust of India. "If they are doing it, well India will have to take note of it," Mr Patil said.

AFP adds: The firing Saturday of the 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) range Hatf V surface-to-surface missile, witnessed by Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali at an undisclosed location, was Pakistan's first such test since March. India had said it was informed in advance of the test.