In a diplomatic exchange, Pakistan has issued a formal request to India, urging compliance with the stipulated timeline for the testing of ballistic missiles. The call comes in response to India’s recent conduct of the inaugural flight test of its indigenous Agni-5 missile.
Speaking on behalf of Pakistan’s Foreign Office, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch acknowledged India’s advance notification of the missile test on March 11. However, Baloch emphasized that India fell short of fulfilling the three-day notification timeline outlined in Article 2 of the Agreement on Pre-notification of the Flight Testing of Ballistic Missiles.
Highlighting the significance of adhering to established protocols, Baloch stated, “The agreement on pre-notification we believe must be complied with in letter and spirit.”
India’s successful test of the Agni-5 missile, featuring ‘multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV)’ technology, took place from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. The Defence Ministry in New Delhi confirmed that the missile met all predetermined parameters.
The Agni-5 missile boasts an impressive range of up to 5,000 km, effectively covering vast swathes of Asia, including parts of China and Europe. While India has conducted previous tests of the Agni 5, this particular flight test marked the debut of its MIRV capabilities.
This diplomatic exchange underscores the intricacies of regional power dynamics and emphasizes the importance of upholding agreed-upon norms regarding ballistic missile testing.
