US urges restraint by nuclear capable nations

The United States has asked all nuclear-capable countries to exercise restraint after India and Pakistan test-fired ballistic missiles within a week.

State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland in response to a question on the latest missile test by Pakistan, said, "(We give) the same message that we gave at the time of the Indian test: that we urge all nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint regarding nuclear and missile capabilities."

Pakistan's missile test came days after its neighbour India had a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V.

"We understand that this was a planned launch. The Pakistanis have said it wasn't a direct response to the Indian test," Nuland said.

"But what's most important is that they do seem to have taken steps to inform the Indians, and we, as you know, are quite intent on those two countries continuing to work together and improve their dialogue," she said.