INDIA is to test a new long-range intercontinental ballistic missile which would give it the capability to make a nuclear strike against its regional rival China from anywhere in the country.

Analysts said that a successful test would establish “nuclear parity” with Beijing.

The Agni V – which means “fire” in Sanskrit – will be launched from Orissa in the south-east of the country. It has a range of more than 3,000 miles, which means it can strike anywhere in China from anywhere in India, but could also hit Tehran or Moscow. A senior defence adviser said the launch, which would take place before Friday, would mark a “historic day” for India.

A successful test would mean India joining China, Russia, France, the United States, Britain and possibly Israel as the only countries with inter-continental missile capabilities.

A spokesman for India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation denied that the test was aimed at any particular country.

“Agni-v is to meet

our

present-day threat perceptions, which are determined by our defence forces and other agencies. This is a deterrent to avoid wars and it is not country-specific,” said Ravi Gupta.

Mohan Guruswamy, of the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Alternatives, said the missile was India’s “riposte to China’s capability” and gave strategic parity.

“Trade relations and political relations are improving, but nuclear game theory says you have to be prepared in case there is a fight with China, in case China says ‘do this or else’. Now we can choose ‘else’. It’s nuclear diplomacy,” Mr Guruswamy said.