India tests new ballistic missile


India has carried out a first test of its longest-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile, officials say.

The Agni-III surface-to-surface missile was test-fired off the coast of Orissa state. Reports say it can reach targets as far away as Beijing and Shanghai.

India says the test is routine and not aimed at unnerving arch-rival Pakistan. Both nations regularly test missiles.

Last week, North Korea sparked an outcry by test firing missiles without warning into the sea of Japan.

The BBC's Navdip Dhariwal in Delhi says India has twice postponed the Agni-III tests - once for technical reasons, the second time because of fears of a negative international response at a time when the country was tying up important nuclear energy deals.

'New club'

The Agni-III is India's most sophisticated long-range missile and is designed to carry a nuclear warhead.
We can now reach large parts of northern China making our deterrence capacity stronger
Rahul Bedi,
Jane's Defence Weekly


Analysts say it has a range of more than 3,000km (1,865 miles).

The missile "took off successfully" and splashed down in the Bay of Bengal, Defence Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar told the Associated Press news agency.

"Details of the flight performance are being analysed by the mission team."

Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee was present to witness the launch from Wheeler's Island in Orissa, the Press Trust of India reported.

Pakistan said it had been informed in advance of the test
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