Successful test of Agni-5 is the major boost to Indian military might, India on Wednesday successfully test-fired surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-5 that can strike targets at ranges up to 5,000 km with a very high degree of accuracy. “The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have credible minimum deterrence that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’,” the defense ministry said.
Agni-5 is an nuclear-capable intercontinental surface-to-surface ballistic missile having a range of around 5,000 to 8,000 km. The Agni-5 has been developed by the DRDO and Bharat Dynamics Ltd and weighs close to 50,000 kg. The missile is 1.75 meters tall with a diameter of 2 meters. It's 1,500 kg warhead will be placed on top of the three-stage rocket boosters.
China's Reaction on Agni-5 Tests
China cited a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution issued after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests to question India’s missile programme.
“As for whether India can develop ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, the UNSCR 1172 already has clear stipulations,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday in response to questions over reports on the upcoming test, which has received wide attention in the Chinese press with focus on the detail that the 5,000 km-range nuclear-capable missile would bring many cities in China within range. “Maintaining peace, security and stability in South Asia meets the common interests of all, where China hopes that all parties would make constructive efforts,” Mr. Zhao said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson was referring to the UNSC resolution 1172, adopted in June 1998. The resolution, in the aftermath of the 1998 nuclear tests, “calls upon India and Pakistan immediately to stop their nuclear weapon development programmes, to refrain from weaponisation or from the deployment of nuclear weapons, to cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons, to confirm their policies not to export equipment, materials or technology that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction or missiles capable of delivering them and to undertake appropriate commitments in that regard”.
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