India tests nuclear-capable missile

INDIA tested a nuclear-capable missile yesterday, a defence source said, days after proposing a resumption of talks with arch-rival Pakistan.

The surface-to-surface Agni-III missile with a range of more than 3,000 kilometres was tested from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa.

"All the parametres have been met, the test was successful," the source told AFP, adding the missile was fired from a railway mobile launcher.

It was the fourth test of the weapon, which can carry conventional or nuclear payloads of 1.5 tonnes and uses solid fuel.

India on Wednesday said it was open to foreign secretary-level talks with Pakistan, signalling a major breakthrough in relations frozen since the 2008 attacks in Mumbai.

New Delhi had steadfastly refused to restart talks until Islamabad brought those behind the Mumbai attacks to justice and cracked down on militant groups on its soil.

India and Pakistan launched a peace dialogue in 2004 that helped lower tensions between the nuclear-armed nations, notably over the disputed region of Kashmir.

The Agni-III, Agni means fire in Sanskrit, was first tested in 2006 and brings major cities in China, such as Shanghai, within striking distance, defence analysts say.

Meanwhile, A Dubai-bound Emirates flight was delayed at the Mumbai airport by several hours yesterday morning after airport officials received a security alert, a spokesman for the Mumbai International Airport said.

The flight, which had 356 people on board including crew, was preparing to take off from the runway but was called back after the air traffic control alerted the pilot of a potential security hazard from a passenger on board, the spokesman said.

The flight was taken to the parking bay and all passengers were subjected to further security checks, he said.

All of them have reboarded except two who have been held back for further checks, he said, adding the flight was set to take off shortly.

India has tightened security across its major airports in recent weeks after getting intelligence about a plane hijack threat from militants. AFP