Pakistan, China clash on India's Agni-V missile launch news

Islamabad, Apr 19: Thursday, Apr 19 will be written in golden words in the history of India as the country, despite facing several hurdles on its way, finally launched Agni-V - the country's first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). However, the two not-so-friendly neighbours of India - China and Pakistan reacted differently to the news. (

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While Chinese media ridiculed India's action in launching the missile, Pakistani media was flooded with the news and has not yet showed any negative reaction to India's success with Agni-V.

The popular daily in Pakistan, Dawn published an agency report saying, "India tests long-range nuclear-capable missile: source." Another daily, The News International reported about Agni-V launch with an Agni missile image that was showcased during a Republic Day parade in New Delhi. [UPDATE: Chinese wake up to Agni V power; says Ind has downplayed it]

"India successfully tests Agni-V missile," reads the report by The News international on Thursday, Apr 19. [After Agni V success; next big project is multiple warheads]

However, the news that the 5,000 km-range missile can reach as far as China and Europe has also not gone down well with the Chinese.

A Chinese daily has said that even if Indian missiles can reach most parts of China, it stands "no chance in an overall arms race" with the country. It added that New Delhi would gain nothing from this other than "further hostility".

The ballistic article appeared in the state-run Global Times in the op-ed section titled "India being swept up by missile delusion" and ridiculed the missile test-firing by saying that India has hopes of entering the global inter-continental missile club despite the fact that inter-continental missiles normally have a range of over 8,000 km.

The article said, "It successfully launched the Agni-IV with a range of 3,500 km last year. Indian public opinion has long seen China as its reference point for military development."

OneIndia News