xrough

India to test new nuclear missile

NEW DELHI, India (AP) -- India will test-fire a new missile within the next few months capable of carrying nuclear warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East, a news report quoting a top defense scientist said.

A first test of the Agni III missile failed in July last year, but scientists have fixed a fault in its heat shield and it will be relaunched again "very soon," the head of India's state-run Defense Research and Development Organization, M. Natrajan, said, according to a Press Trust of India report on Wednesday.

"We have now come up with a flexible heat shield. All other parameters of the missile would remain the same," the report cited Natrajan as saying.

Natrajan did not give an exact timeframe for the test. "It may be in May or June or even earlier," he said.

India's current crop of missiles have been largely intended to confront neighboring archrival Pakistan. The Agni III, in contrast, is India's longest-range missile, designed to reach 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) -- putting China's major cities well into range, as well as targets deep in the Middle East.

It is also said to be capable of carrying up to a 300 kiloton nuclear warhead.

India and China have engaged in decades of mutual suspicion and fought a 1962 border war. But relations have warmed considerably in recent years as the two Asian giants have boosted trade and economic ties.

India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee met his Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday to discuss business, trade and energy security among the three Asian powers.

India's homegrown missile arsenal already includes the short-range Prithvi ballistic missile, the medium-range Akash, the anti-tank Nag and the supersonic Brahmos missile, developed jointly with Russia.

Natrajan, who is also a scientific adviser to India's defense department, also said that the DRDO may carry out a second test of its interceptor missile before testing Agni III.

In November India said it had carried out its first successful test interception of a ballistic missile, using a second missile to shoot down an incoming rocket.

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WhamBam

I am really surprised by the current hostility (though mainly undercover) between the two ancient civilizations. They have had no history of animosity throughout their long history and have much in common including the buddhist legacy.

Not sure why China is trying to contain India through encirclement and propping up dangerous regimes in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar etc.

xrough

I think India and China is rival in most aspects and that is not surprising if China will contain India..

WhamBam

Of course in realpolitic terms, they are rivals. But that is not what you would expect from two ancient civilizations. Both of them have a lot to contribiute to the world. The world needs leadership from both along with many other nations. Indulging in realpolitic is simply a waste. They are much better off co-operating and accepting each other.