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India test fires ballistic missile

India has successfully test fired an intermediate range nuclear capable ballistic missile off its eastern coast.

The test comes amid a tense military standoff with nuclear rival, Pakistan.

Islamabad says the test is prejudicial to regional stability and has warned New Delhi that it's ready to defend itself against any aggression.

But New Delhi has described the test as just one of several steps India is taking to ensure national security.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Nirupama Rao, says the test is not related to the current tensions with Pakistan.

We've always stressed that our missile program is not country specific and that we have no intention to engage in an arms race. In fact the flight test today this morning comes as part of the technological evolution of our program and the timing was determined solely by technical factors.

25/01/2002 11:30:40 PM | ABC Radio Australia News

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