Mon, May 12, 2003
Short-Range Astra Missile Fired For Second Time In Three
Days
While continuing to talk peace with its neighbor,
Pakistan, India Sunday test-fired a second Astra air-to-air missile
- a product of homegrown Indian technology.
The test came just one day after US Deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage left New Delhi after meeting with top government
officials. Those talks, while officially deemed "successful," did
not result in the reduction of sanctions against India for
developing an arsenal clearly aimed at Pakistan. The two countries
have already fought two wars. Both now have nuclear weapons. But,
while the United States considers Pakistan a strong ally in the war
against terror, India remains under sanctions.
Air-To-Air Firepower
The Astra missile reportedly has a range of between 15 and 25
miles. It was tested at India's Chandipur-at-sea range in the
southeastern part of the country. Clearly, the tests won't help
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee win any support for the
lifting of sanctions, which were imposed after his country tested a
nuclear device in 1998.
"In our extended neighborhood, we can see many examples of
double standards in this," he said during a speech to mark National
Technology Day. "Countries guilty of missile and nuclear
proliferation have not attracted sanctions. Some," he said, in a
blatant reference to Pakistan, "even continue to receive liberal
economic assistance." Vajpayee promised India will continue
developing homegrown weapons and dual-use technology until "a more
equitable" international system of arms control is put into
place.
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