India Nuclear Watch: India Tests Nuclear Capable Agni-III Missile

Indian soldiers stand near Agni missile. India has successfully carried out its first test of nuclear-capable ballistic Agni-III missile with a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,480 miles).

AFP: India tests nuclear-capable missile

India successfully carried out its first test of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometres (2,480 miles), defence officials said.

The Agni-III missile was launched from Wheeler Island, 180 kilometres northeast of Bhubaneshwar in the eastern state of Orissa, they said on condition of anonymity.

In May Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said the Agni-III, India’s longest-range ballistic missile, was ready but that the country was observing “self-imposed restraint” before testing.

Opposition parties criticised the announcement, saying testing was being delayed because of pressure from the United States. New Delhi and Washington reached a landmark deal in March that will see sanctions lifted on India’s access to civilian nuclear technology.

This is message DELIVERED to China prior to the UNSC meeting on North Korea sanctions scheduled for Monday. The Agni-III missile was developed with the target of Beijing in mind.

The Indian army displays a Agni long-range missile during a parade in New Delhi.

So, what is the message to China?

Persist and do nothing to resolve the North Korea, Kim Jong-Il, threat and Japan will militarize with nuclear missiles – with United States support. Geographically, China will then be surrounded by land-based and sea-based nuclear missiles – Russia to the North, Turkey/NATO and Britain to the West, Japan to the East and India to the South.

Sunday’s test launch comes just four days after North Korea sparked an international outcry by test-firing seven missiles.

A highly-placed Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) source said the Indian test was “successful”.

He said scientists had detected a snag in the booster rocket system of the Agni-III two weeks ago and had delayed its test. “Now we have papered over the problem and hence the launch window was chosen as Sunday,” he said.

Right…….

Stay tuned…….

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