A rchive Date
[ 09-01-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ India ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2003/01/08/9820-ap.html
India tests nuclear-capable Agni ballistic missile on eastern coast
Thu, January 9, 2003
NEW DELHI (CP) - India test-fired an Agni ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, a television station reported Thursday.
The test firing came as the Indian and Pakistani governments were in the midst of a war of words, threatening each other with possible nuclear consequences if either takes any aggressive military action. The short-range missile was fired from Chandipur-on-Sea on the coast of eastern Orissa state, Star News TV reported.
The missile has a range of about 600 to 800 kilometres.
The two countries came close to their fourth war in 55 years last summer, but since then have pulled back ships and troops.
Both countries tested nuclear weapons in 1998, bringing sanctions from the United States and other Western countries, which were lifted after both countries became involved with the Washington-led war on terror after Sept. 11, 2001.
On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham urged New Delhi not to carry out the tests.
"Canada deeply regrets that India is once again planning to test nuclear-capable ballistic missiles, particularly at a time when tensions with Pakistan remain high," Graham said in a statement.
"As was the case with Pakistan's missile tests in October 2002, we fear that these tests will exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region and detract from constructive efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution. Canada strongly urges India not to conduct these missile flight tests."
The Chandipur missile testing range is about 1,200 kilometres southeast of New Delhi. Journalists at the site said the test was witnessed by Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes, who on Tuesday made a chilling prediction of how a nuclear war would turn out.
"There will be no Pakistan left when we have responded," he told a business gathering in southern India. He reiterated India's policy of no first use of nuclear weapons.
Fernandes was reacting to Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, who on Dec. 29 told a group of air force veterans that he had personally warned India during last year's hostilities to "not expect a conventional war from Pakistan."
His spokesman quickly denied that the president was referring to nuclear weapons, and Musharraf said later he meant only that some 150,000 retired Pakistani military personnel living in Kashmir would have risen up against any Indian aggression.
Both countries tested nuclear weapons in 1998, bringing sanctions from the United States and other Western countries. The sanctions were lifted after both countries became involved with Washington's global campaign against terrorists after Sept. 11, 2001.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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