India test fires nuclear capable missile

India has successfully test fired a long-range nuclear-capable Agni II missile off its eastern coast of Orissa.

India has successfully test fired a long-range nuclear-capable Agni II missile off its eastern coast of Orissa.

An Indian defence ministry spokesman said the Agni II missile was succesfully tested for the third time.

The surface-to-surface Agni II missile, which has a range of 2,000 km, was also tested in 1999 and 2001.

India is developing a range of missiles - including the Agni, or "fire" in Sanskrit - as part of its nuclear defence strategy against neighbours China and Pakistan.

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The Agni I has an estimated range of 1,200 km and the Agni III, still under development, will have a range of 4,000 km.

India staged nuclear tests and declared itself a nuclear power in 1998, prompting long-time rival Pakistan to respond with similar tests. The two nations have fought three wars and edged to the brink of a fourth in 2002 over Kashmir.

India and China also fought a border war in 1962.