China Is Furious At Agni-V, India Says We Haven't Aimed It At Anyone!
TNN & AgenciesUpdated on Dec 28, 2016, 15:38 IST
After China's negative comments today about the Agni-V test, New Delhi quickly hit back at Beijing saying the successful test not only "complied with all applicable international obligations", it was also "not aimed at any country."
"India's strategic autonomy and growing engagement contributes to strategic stability," the external affairs ministry said this evening about the test of the nuclear-capable Agni-5 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Earlier today, the Chinese foreign ministry made noises about being exceptionally concerned about Agni-V affecting "strategic balance and stability in South Asia."
Of course, it completely ignored its own culpability in helping arm its "all-weather friend" Pakistan, a known nuclear proliferator.
Agni V's range - 5,000 km - makes it capable of reaching the furthest northern parts of China as well as Europe. It's no wonder then that Hua earlier today bristled at media reports that suggested Agni-5 was targeted at China. And that's why it brought up the UN Security Council.
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"The UN Security Council has explicit regulations on whether India can develop ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons," Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry said.
However, China too has ICBMs that can hit targets up to 13,000 kms. And unlike India, it isn't a part of the Missile Technology Control Regime, a voluntary partnership of over 30 countries created to curb the spread of unmanned delivery systems for nuclear weapons.