What the World Said: Foreign Reaction to India's Long-Range Missile Launch
By THE NEW YORK TIMES
Reuters
Agni V missile is launched from the Wheeler Island off the eastern coast of India, April 19, 2012.
Mark Toner, Spokesperson, United States Department of State :
"Naturally, I just would say that we urge all nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint regarding nuclear capabilities. That said, India has a solid nonproliferation record. They're engaged with the international community on nonproliferation issues. And Prime Minister Singh, I believe, has attended both the nuclear – both of the nuclear summit – security summits, the one in Washington and then Seoul." (Daily Press Briefing)
Editorial, Global Times, a Chinese newspaper: "India should not overestimate its strength. Even if it has missiles that could reach most parts of China, that does not mean it will gain anything from being arrogant during disputes with China. India should be clear that China's nuclear power is stronger and more reliable. For the foreseeable future, India would stand no chance in an overall arms race with China" noted the editorial published in the Chinese newspaper ahead of the launch.
The editorial also said: "India should also not overstate the value of its Western allies and the profits it could gain from participating in a containment of China. If it equates long range strategic missiles with deterrence of China, and stirs up further hostility, it could be sorely mistaken."
State-owned China Central Television:
"A historic moment for India and it shows that India has joined the club of the countries that own ballistic missiles."
The state broadcaster then enumerated some of the missile's shortcomings, from a problem with guidance systems to its 50-ton-plus weight, which it said would require it to be fired from fixed, not mobile positions and thus make it more vulnerable to attack.
"It does not pose a threat in reality," CCTV said.
Liu Weimin, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman:
Mr. Weimin played down the test and described India and China as "not competitors but partners," adding that the two countries should "work hard to uphold friendly strategic cooperation," according to news agencies.
Mansoor Ahmed, Defense Analyst based in Islamabad:
The missile added to India's growing second-strike capabilities, particularly if India can construct a naval version of the Agni 5 to deploy on its nuclear-powered submarines. A sub-based missile "can be deployed beyond the reach of a Pakistani first strike, thus ensuring survivability of its nuclear force," Mr. Ahmed said.
Graeme P. Herd, Security Expert, Geneva Center for Security Policy:
"All of this, from the Chinese perspective, looks like a movement from balancing China to containing China," Mr. Herd said. The timing of the missile launching, as the Chinese government is reeling from a scandal involving a top leader, would heighten Chinese suspicions and also "increases the perception of an arms race, and the reality of an arms race, in East Asia, particularly between China and India," he added.
Poornima Subramaniam, Asia-Pacific Armed Forces Analyst, IHS Jane's Defense:
"Agni 5 will give India complete coverage of targets in China," said Ms. Subramaniam in an e-mail. "Agni 5 technologically narrows the missile gap between India and China, while the strategic balance between the two rivals is still tipped in China's favor."
Paul K. Kerr, Nonproliferation Expert, Congressional Research Service:
"Everyone forgets about U.N. Security Council Resolution 1172, which calls upon India and Pakistan to cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons," said Mr. Kerr in an interview.
Praful Bidwai, Researcher and Columnist, Coalition of Nuclear Disarmament and Peace:
"It is ridiculous," Mr. Bidwai said. "We are getting into a useless arms race at the expense of fulfilling the need of poor people."