WASHINGTON, Jan 25: US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday lamented India’s test of a short-range nuclear missile, but said he did not believe it would further inflame tensions between India and Pakistan.
“I would just as soon they had not performed that test at this time but I don’t think it will inflame the situation particularly,” Powell said.
He added that he and other US officials would continue to press the nuclear rivals to ease tensions on the subcontinent, but said he had “not had occasion” to speak with Indian officials about the test.
EUROPEAN REACTION: Britain, France and Germany regretted the India’s test firing of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile that has fuelled tensions in the already fraught region.
“I regret India’s decision to test a ballistic missile, particularly in the light of current regional tension,” Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement.
“I 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,” he said.
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said the government regretted the Indian missile test, as given present tensions between India and Pakistan could lead to “avoidable misunderstandings”.
He said the fact the Agni I missile could carry nuclear warheads was also a cause for concern. Against the background of Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests of May 1998, this gave a “wrong signal for nuclear non-proliferation”.
In a statement, Mr Fischer recalled that the United Nations Security Council had in June 1998 called on both countries to exercise restraint in order not to endanger regional stability and global non-proliferation aims.
Germany could continue working for the adhesion of both states to the nuclear weapons non-proliferation treaty, he added.
In Paris, France foreign ministry spokesman Francois Rivasseau said: “In the current regional context it (test) is certainly not the most helpful signal to send.”—Agencies