India:  Army Tests Medium-Range Missile

India launched a medium-range, nuclear-capable, ballistic missile today, according to a Defense Ministry spokesman (see GSN, March 26).

The Indian army’s version of the missile has a range of 90 miles, while the navy and air force’s version can travel 150 miles.

“It was successful.  The army version of the missile was test-fired,” the spokesman said (Agence France-Presse, April 29).

The missile test comes a day after a telephone conversation between Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali and Indian Prime Minister Atal Vajapayee (see related GSN story, today; Associated Press/Globe and Mail, April 29).

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Aziz Khan said that Pakistani officials were happy India notified them of the test.

“This came as a pleasant surprise since only about a month ago when India conducted a similar test it did not notify Pakistan,” Khan said.

He said that officials did not view the test as an intimidating act.

“This is simply a reconfirmation that missiles are now a reality in South Asia,” Khan added (Agence France-Presse/The Australian, April 29).

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