BEIJING – India’s latest test of an intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM), allegedly nuclear capable, poses a direct threat to China’ssecurity as well as a big challenge to the global efforts ofnuclear-nonproliferation, a Chinese missile expert warned.
After the test, the missile would be finalized and produced in large scale,and will become a fighting force in the coming years, Song Zhongping, amilitary expert and TV commentator, told Global Times on Friday.
Though the report said the Agni-V can “reach the northernmost parts ofChina with its strike range of over 5,000-kilometers,” Chinese expertsexpressed skepticism.
“Though the missile could theoretically hit Beijing, India’s missiletechnique is far below the standard,” Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at theInstitute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of SocialSciences said.
Nevertheless, China should be on the alert and further upgrade itsanti-missile techniques, Hu added.Aside from the missile, India is developing various kinds of weapons tocompete with China, and its development of nuclear weapons shows that Indiais engaging in a nuclear arms race with China, Song said.
“It is also a big challenge to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty asIndia owns such a big nuclear arsenal,” he said.
The missile test is being dubbed as another step toward its eventualinclusion into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). A few more tests remainto be conducted before the 50-ton missile is produced in adequate numbers.
The tri-service SFC was established in 2003 to manage India’s nucleararsenal. Aside from the shorter-range missiles “Prithvi” and “Dhanush,” theSFC has already included the “Agni-I,” “Agni-II” and “Agni-III” missiles inits arsenal.
Thursday’s test comes a day after India’s joint sea drills with Japan inthe Indian Ocean.
India hopes to enhance cooperation with Japan as a way of restrainingChina, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported, citing unnamed experts.
“India is trying to build a military system with Australia, Japan and theUS in order to keep a closer watch on China, which poses a direct threat toChina,” Song said.
China should keep increasing its economic as well as defense capability,Song added.
Song also said that since the Indian Ocean is a “must enter” region for theBelt and Road initiative as well as the national strategy of building Chinainto a maritime power, China should also enhance its military and economicpresence in the Indian Ocean.