AGNI V MISSILE

Recently, China has cited a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution to question India’s missile programme amid reports of an upcoming test for the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile.
UNSC Resolution 1172 was issued after India’s 1998 nuclear tests.

Important points:

Agni-V is the most advanced surface-to-surface indigenously built ballistic missile.
It is a three-stage, solid fuelled, 17-metre tall missile, and is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes.
Agni-V is a fire and forget missile, which once fired cannot be stopped, except by an interceptor missile.
It has been developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
IGMDP was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012.
The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, Akash.

The resolution, in the aftermath of the 1998 nuclear tests that calls upon India and Pakistan immediately:

To stop their nuclear weapon development programmes,
To refrain from weaponization or from the deployment of nuclear weapons,
To cease development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons and any further production of fissile material for nuclear weapons,
To confirm their policies not to export equipment, materials or technology that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction or missiles capable of delivering.

Way Forward

India needs to be far more active in insisting that a comprehensive nuclear dialogue with China is essential for strategic stability across Asia.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT

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