Tit-for-tat missile tests prompt new fears over Pakistan-India war

New Delhi, India

The two countries notified each other of the tests, according to an agreement, and each called their operations routine.

Pakistan tested a nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface missile able to hit most targets inside India. About 11 hours later, India tested its most sophisticated surface-to-air missile, which has a range of about 25 kilometres, and is meant to hit multiple targets in the air.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Nisar Memon said, however, that by testing on the same day, India “is trying to turn this into an arms race”.

India said it conducted two missile tests last week without fanfare or criticism, and Defence Minister George Fernandes said there was no reason for concern.

“They have their missiles and they are testing it. We have our missiles and we also do tests,” Mr Fernandes said.

The Indian government called Pakistan’s test a publicity stunt ahead of next week’s general elections, the first since a 1999 military coup.

“Missile tests in South Asia are not devoid of symbolism,” said Navy Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar, deputy

director of India’s Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

“Pakistan’s ... missile test is clearly aimed at Pakistan’s domestic constituency, where elections are scheduled to be held next week,” Mr Bhaskar said.

The two countries have posted about one million soldiers on war alert along their 2,910-kilometre frontier for most of this year, and were close to a fully-fledged conflict in June before the United States, Britain and Russia

exerted diplomatic pressure.

“What has to be appreciated is that both countries adhered to certain confidence-building measures, despite the prevailing tensions,” Mr Bhaskar said.

“Both countries had informed each other about the tests. This is what has to be built upon,” he said.

India and Pakistan have not restored their ambassadors, who were withdrawn after a December attack on the Indian Parliament that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants and the Pakistani secret service. Pakistan and the militant groups denied any

involvement.

Pakistan says it conducted its last missile test in May in response to Indian tests in January.