India Is Now A Nuclear Super Power
Pastor Dale Morgan
India Is Now A Nuclear Super Power*
Apr 13th, 2007 8:14 AM
By Ray Perdue
April 13, 2007
On Thursday, April 12, 2007, India announced that it now had long-range
nuclear capabilities.
The Agni III missile was launched from Wheeler Island, 110 miles (180
kilometers) northeast of Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern state
of Orissa. The missile was in the air for approximately 15 minutes, and
according to Indian officials, it reached all of its objectives.
The last time India attempted to test the Agni III was last July. The
test failed when the missile crashed into the Bay of Bengal shortly
after takeoff.
This time the testing was completely successful. W. Selvamurthy, a
senior official with the Indian Defence Research and Development
Organization, which designed the missile, told Reuters News "the test
was absolutely successful. It took off at 10:50 am and landed at 11:05
am. We are absolutely satisfied with all the results and we have
rectified the errors of last year’s failure. It met all the target
coordinates."
According to a statement released by India’s Defence Ministry in New
Dehli, the test "confirmed India’s strategic capability for minimum
credible deterrence."
Indian security analysts also expressed their joy over the results.
"…This gives India the strategic reach that…certainly the military
wants," one analyst told reporters, Thursday.
Many see the test as a strike at China, and meant to counter China’s
military strength in the region. The Agni III is capable of carrying a
nuclear warhead nearly 2,000 miles—far enough to reach Beijing or
Shanghai, and even the Middle East.
The Agni III will be able to carry a payload of 1.5 tons, and be fitted
with conventional or nuclear warheads.
Shorter-range versions of the Agni III have also been developed,
probably in reference to neighboring Pakistan.
Indian security analysts were quick to point out that the Agni II should
not be viewed as being anti-China, and is not meant for a "single-point
threat." They stated that the missile is an attempt to enhance India’s
overall strategy, and is simply an insurance policy against future threats.
However, the new missiles and testing may damage India’s new
relationship with the United States. Last year, President Bush agreed to
work with India on its nuclear program, provided that India halts its
production of nuclear weapons.
Thursday, the USA Today reported that India has been making demands to
Washington, that it be allowed to continue testing nuclear weapons, and
increase its nuclear capabilities. Thursday’s test of the Agni III maybe
the precursor to full-scale nuclear testing by India.
India already has 100 to 150 nuclear warheads. The development of
inter-continental ballistic missiles could be the next major step on
India’s military agenda.
In recent years India’s nuclear and missile programs have been seen as
attempts to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, as well
as attempting to make itself a world super-power.
Sources:
"India nuclear demands could stop U. S. deal", UPI,
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/04/12/india_nuclear_demands_could_stop_us_deal/
"India Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile", AP News,
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,265506,00.html
"India successfully tests missile able to hit China", AFP,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070412/wl_sthasia_afp/indiamissilenuclear_070412183244
"India tests longest-range ballistic missile", Reuters,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070412/wl_nm/india_missile_dc;_ylt=AsE7k.O8gr6ni1_qCYDx4ghm.3QA