Pakistan: Indian missile test threatens stability

India says the missile test was conducted for technical reasons, rather than to send a political message

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan has criticized India's test launching of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, saying the action threatens regional stability and warning that it has "the means to defend itself".

Though it was informed in advance of the test, a Pakistani foreign ministry statement said the firing was ill-timed given the bristling tensions between the two nuclear rivals.

"The test comes at a time of tensions when the Indian forces are amassed all along our borders," the Pakistani statement said.

"We hope the international community will take note of this Indian behavior, which is prejudicial to the pursuit of stability in our region, especially during the current situation."

Earlier Friday, India confirmed it had successfully launched a short-range version of its Agni ballistic missile.

The Agni -- which means fire in Hindi -- has a reported range of 700 km (435 miles) and is capable of delivering a payload of 1000 kg.

Among the first regional powers to react to the Indian test was Australia. Foreign Minister Alexander Downing said his government "regrets" the test and is urging Pakistan not to conduct a test launch in response.

The UK has also raised its concerns saying the test "sends the wrong signals within the region and beyond."

"I believe that restraint in developing possible nuclear weapon delivery systems is in the long-term interest of India and the region," Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement.

'Not provocative'

VIDEO Countering Pakistan's protests, Indian officials say the missile test was 'non provocative.' CNN's Satinder Bindra reports (January 25) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   AUDIO India launches a ballistic missile 1.6 mb / 2.30 min WAV sound Pakistani reaction to the test. 940 kb / 1.27 min WAV sound   RESOURCES Nuclear weapons:  Who has what    CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

The missile was fired from Wheeler's Island located in the Chandipur test range along India's eastern coast and was conducted over international waters.

Indian officials said the test was designed to boost India's nuclear deterrence capability and was conducted at this time because it was technically advantageous, rather than as a way of sending any political message.

"This is not a provocative measure," an Indian official said.

All five permanent members of the U.N. Security council as well as Pakistan's high commissioner to New Delhi were informed ahead of the test, a Indian external affairs ministry official said.

Officials said the missile test -- which comes a day before India's Republic Day parade -- had been planned for months, well before the current border standoff.

Tensions between Indian and Pakistan were raised dramatically last month following an attack on India's parliament which New Delhi has blamed on groups it says are supported by Pakistan-based groups..

'Direct threat'

CNN New Delhi Bureau Chief Satinder Bindra say that rather than being directed at Pakistan, military analysts believe Friday's Indian test may have been directed at sending a message to its other neighbor, China, which also has a nuclear capability.

India's Agni II intermediate range missile in New Dehli during the final rehearsal for the January 26 Republic Day parade.

In the past, Pakistan has responded to Indian missile tests with tests of its own.

A previous Agni test in January 2001 was described by Islamabad as a "direct threat" to its national security.

On Friday following the latest Indian test, the foreign ministry in Islamabad issued a terse statement saying Pakistan "favors a policy of restraint" and warning that the country "has the means to defend itself."

"Our missile program follows the logic of technical requirements. We test when it is technically required in the process of development and validation of our missile capabilities," the ministry added.

India has conducted several successful tests of Agni missiles in the past. The missiles are mobile and are designed to be easily transported by rail or truck.