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No need to test Agni missile further: Fernandes

Union Defence Minister George Fernandes said today that there is no need to test India's Agni missile further and the next step will be taken at an appropriate time.

''It is my understanding that Agni is an ongoing project and there is no need for any more testing. But any further decision on it would be taken at an appropriate time,'' the defence minister told the media.

Fernandes was answering questions on the Agni missile in the wake of Pakistan test-firing the Ghauri missile.

Asked when would the appropriate time would come, the defence minister said, ''It would be when we decide about it.''

On reports that the Ghauri test-firing was probably a hoax, the defence minister said, ''I would rather take the prime minister of Pakistan seriously.''

Answering another query, Fernandes said, ''China is the mother of Ghauri. We should not be worried about the test of Ghauri. India does not have any reason to feel worried about what Pakistan has. Prithvi is there.... We have adequate supplies.''

Asked to comment on the Chinese missiles positioned in Tibet, Fernandes said they had been a concern for India.

On the defence outlay for the current year, he said it had already been presented to Parliament by way of the interim budget and it was pegged at Rs 400 billion -- 10 per cent more than the previous year.

UNI

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