BJP lauds DRDO scientists over launch of Agni-V

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): Terming the launch of Agni-V as a spectacular achievement for the Indian scientists, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday said the successful launch of the completely indigenous missile has put India in a very elite club and the nation should be proud of this feat.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party is very proud of the Indian scientists, the scientists of the DRDO, who have made a commendable job in launching a completely indigenous missile, Agni, with a 5,000 kilometer range which with its successful launch has put us in a very elite club," said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

"And this is a spectacular achievement for the Indian scientists, on which the Bharatiya Janata Party salutes the scientists of the DRDO. And we as a nation can be very proud of this immense achievement," she added.

When asked that China has downplayed the successful launch of Agni-V missile, and stressed on maintaining peaceful relations, Sitharaman said: "After all India's defence preparedness or strength is all aimed at maintaining a peaceful neighbourhood and therefore that's a welcome statement."

Beijing had earlier in the day downplayed the launch of Agni-V missile capable of striking anywhere in China, and said that the two neighbouring giants were not rivals.

India today took a giant leap in fortifying its strategic capability by successfully test-firing its nuclear capable Agni-V Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a strike range of 5,000 km, bringing China and the neighbouring region under its cover.

The test firing is a major leap forward in missile technology and military deterrent capability for the country.

India in November last tested the 3,500-km-range Agni-IV missile giving muscle to the country's deterrent capability against the military adversaries.

Agni-V is a solid fueled intercontinental ballistic missile. It will greatly expand India's reach to strike targets well beyond 5,500 km away.

The nuclear-capable, three-stage Agni-V, about 50-tonne in weight and 17.5-metre tall, will become fully operational by 2014-2015. (ANI)