India already has the capability of hitting anywhere inside archrival Pakistan, but in recent years its increased defense spending has been focused on countering a perceived Chinese threat.
India and China fought a war in 1962 and continue to nurse a border dispute. India has also been suspicious of Beijing's efforts to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean in recent years.
Gupta said the new Agni, named for the Hindi word for fire, should not be seen as a threat.
“We have a declared no-first-use policy. Our program is for deterrence and for peace,” he said.
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