Why's China worried over Agni V?

 BANGALORE, INDIA: India's successful testing of Agni 5 and its subsequent joining of the elite club of nations having long range weapons has left China seethe with jealousy.

But why is China unhappy? Is it because with a range of 5,000km Agni V can deliver a 1.5-ton warhead into China's territory or is it because Agni-V can be used to shoot down enemy satellites in orbits or is it because India has joined the top league of nations with inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) like the US, UK, France and Russia along with China.

China's unacceptance wasn't unexpected as it has always been hard for the country to acknowledge India's success with dignity.

As has been evident in the state-run Global Times, an article titled “India being swept up by missile delusion” reads: "China understands the Indian desire to catch up with China. China, as the most appropriate strategic target for India, is willing to take India as a peaceful competitor."

More than threat, a missile is a deterrent strategy adopted by any country and it sometimes can be a mere technological demonstration. But when China tested Dongfeng in 2009, that too secretly, did anyone in India raise voice? Then why is China fretting now. The Dongfeng with a range of 11000 km can cover most regions of the northwest US.

In 2007, a redundant weather satellite was destroyed by a ballistic missile fired from the Xichang space centre in Sichuan province and China remains a terror for many countries.

Now, criticising India, the article said the country “is still poor and lags behind in infrastructure construction, but its society is highly supportive of developing nuclear power and the West chooses to overlook India’s disregard of nuclear and missile control treaties”

India's stance has been very clear in testing the missile. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has maintained: "Today's launch represents another milestone in our quest for our security, preparedness and to explore the frontiers of science."

However, the article adds that it would be “unwise for China and India to seek a balance of power by developing missiles. China does not spend much time guarding against India, while India focuses a lot of attention on China."

Agni V, which travels faster than a bullet and can be launched using a special canister, will be ready for induction by 2014-15. So, will China develop another missile by then? Wait and watch.