The Bush administration has cautioned Asian nations not to do anything that would "destabilise" the region after India successfully tested its nuclear-capable Agni III missile, while maintaining that New Delhi demonstrated "responsibility" with respect to prevention of weapons proliferation including nuclear technology.
US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack, while admitting that he could not verify the characteristics of the latest Indian missile test, urged governments of the region to work within the parameters of agreements on prior notification regarding missile tests.
"The Indians do have an active missile programme. And typically what they do under their agreements with the Pakistani government is there's a prior notification. I can't verify for you at this point that that did take place in these circumstances. What we have -- what we urge all the governments in the region to do, India, Pakistan included, is to work within the constraints of the agreements that they have regarding notification and also not take any actions that would be destabilising to the balance in the region," he said.
Asked if India'a latest missile test can be considered as an action that could destabilise the region, the spokesman replied: "I'd have to check to see if this is something that is technically different or goes beyond the previous technical, demonstrated capabilities of the Indian government, the Indian military, in launching the missile. I'm not aware that it does, but I'll be happy to check for you," he said.
When asked if India should be test-firing a nuclear capable missile at a time when Washington is trying to dismantle the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, McCormack replied: "It's not the first time they've test-fired missiles.
"India is trying to enter into a different kind of relationship with the rest of the world vis-a-vis its nuclear programme. We are in negotiations with the Indian government about that; currently ongoing," the spokesman said.
"They have, in certain international fora, demonstrated a certain level of responsibility with respect to preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction technology, including nuclear technology," McCormack added.
