India test-fires intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V

India Wednesday successfully test-fired its surface-to-surface intercontinental ballistic missile Agni-V, developed with the intent of being able to hit China.

The long-range Agni-V was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of the eastern Indian state of Odisha, at 7:50pm (local time), a Defence Ministry statement said.

The missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000km with a very high degree of accuracy, it added.

However, the Ministry made it clear that the test of Agni-5 "is in line with India's stated policy to have credible minimum deterrence that underpins the commitment to No First Use".

The missile, which forms the bedrock of India's nuclear deterrent, has been developed by the state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Experts say that even with a range of 5,000km, Agni-V could hit targets in China, including in Beijing. Agni-V was first test-fired some nine years ago.