India downplays Pakistan missile test

New Delhi, Apr 19 (UNI) India sought to downplay the test-firing of the long-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile by Pakistan today, saying the neighbouring country regularly required such tests as the technology came from various parts of the world.

''Such tests have been happening for ever. Pakistan requires testing of missiles as the technology is imported,'' Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta told journalists here.

He said the technology was flowing into Pakistan from other parts of the world.

''Therefore, the regular testing by Pakistan is required,'' said Admiral Mehta, who is also the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Pakistan today successfully test fired the long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf-VI (Shaheen-2), having a range of 2000 km and capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads.

This was the first missile test under a new government installed in Islamabad last month.

UNI AG LPB KP1813