Missile capped | Govt under fire

FIRE POWER: The upper limit of the Agni missiles has been capped at 5,000 km.

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New Delhi: India has put its programme to develop inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM) on hold and has capped it to a maximum range of 5,000 km for now.

The country declared in April that it has the capacity to develop ICBMs—a requirement for recognition as a nuclear weapons power. Sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) told CNN-IBN that the government has given instructions to stop development work on the ICBM, which has a range of more than 5,500 km.

Capping missile capability at 5,000 km sends a message that India is not targeting anything beyond Asia. Sources correlated this move with the Indo-US talks on the civilian nuclear deal being poised delicately. Strategic experts slammed the government for capping the programme.

“If this is meant to reassure the Indo-US nuclear deal, it is unnecessary," said Strategic Affairs Analyst K Balachandran.

The Defence Ministry did not deny CNN-IBN’s report and in a vaguely worded statement its spokesperson said: "There are no instructions from the Government to DRDO scientists. The missile development programme is going on as per the requirements of the Centre."

The Indo US nuclear deal would give India de facto recognition as a nuclear weapons power. But there is a clear sense of unease in Washington over India's growing missile power. And India is sending a placatory message that its missile programme is for its immediate security requirements alone.

DRDO sources also confirmed that the upper limit of the Agni series of nuclear-capable missiles has been capped at 5,000 km. The next in the Agni series has been tentatively codenamed the Agni III Star.