India defers long-range missile test launch

India on Wednesday postponed the test-launch of its first long-range missile capable of reaching deep into China and as far as Europe due to bad weather, a government official said. The launch of the Agni V, which can carry nuclear warheads and has a range of 5,000 km (3,125 miles), will thrust the emerging Asian power into an elite club of nations with intercontinental nuclear defence capabilities.
"Due to heavy lightning in the area, the scheduled test flight of Agni V has been postponed til tomorrow for safety reasons," defence ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar told.