WASHINGTON, Oct 5: The United States said on Friday that tit-for-tat missiles tests by India and Pakistan would further increase tension in an already tense region and encourage a nuclear and missile race between South Asia’s two nuclear rivals.

“We are disappointed at ballistic tests occurring in the region,” said State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher.

India tested a medium-range surface-to-air missile nine hours after Pakistan tested its own nuclear-capable medium-range ballistic missile. Islamabad then accused India of fuelling an arms race, a charge New Delhi immediately called an overreaction.

The State Department’s spokesman further said: “There is a charged atmosphere in the region. Tests can contribute to that atmosphere and make it harder to prevent a destabilizing nuclear and missile arms race.

“We continue to urge both Pakistan and India to take steps to restrain their nuclear weapons and missile programmes, including no operational deployment ... and to begin dialogue on confidence-building measures which would reduce the likelihood that such weapons would ever be used,” he added.

“Our primary concern is with missiles that can deliver weapons of mass destruction, which a surface-to-air missile cannot. In broad terms, however, we look to both India and Pakistan not to take steps that increase tension,” said Boucher.

He said Washington was against missiles tests and would convey its feelings to both the countries.