The World - News from April 3, 1989

India is preparing to test a long-range ballistic missile that would greatly enhance the country’s military and political power, the New York Times said in a report from New Delhi. Quoting unnamed Indian and Western military experts, the paper said the missile, called the Agni, would have a range of up to 1,500 miles and payload of one ton. The test is expected to take place early this month in Orissa or Andhra Pradesh states, the paper said. It quoted what it called an Indian defense scientist as saying the project was not undertaken in response to the “current strategic situation between India and its neighbors.”