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If they have Ghauri, we have Prithvi, says Fernandes

Defence Minister George Fernandes, reacting to Pakistan test-firing a surface to surface missile which could target some Indian cities, said India's indigenous Prithvi missile was capable of covering all of Pakistan.

''No, no, I do not believe we are close to a war-like situation,'' the defence minister clarified when asked if Pakistan's move heightened tension between the two nations.

But nobody in the country should be worried about Pakistan test-firing its Hatf-5 (Ghauri) missile, Fernandes said, and added that the country was equipped to deal with any situation.

Fernandes, who returned today from the North-East where he addressed troops at various places, said what was worrying was that China was supplying missile technology and missiles to Pakistan. This was a serious issue, he added.

He said India was still awaiting facts about what kind of missile-related technology was being supplied by China to Pakistan.

''We have known over a period of time that China has been supplying technology to Pakistan. Maybe, the entire missile is being given,'' he said.

The defence minister said it was hard to believe Pakistan's claim that the Ghauri missile had been made indigenously, as it did not have the capability.

Fernandes reiterated that Prithvi was enough for India's security.

''No part of Pakistan is out of Prithvi's range. Nobody in the country should be worried. We do not have to depend on anyone for the missile's technology or production as it is indigenous.''

The defence minister said India had information that Pakistan was thinking of testing some medium-range missile. ''It was nothing unexpected,'' he said.

He said it was up to the United States to find out what was happening between China and Pakistan with regard to missile technology transfer. But there was no need for India to raise the matter with the US, he added.

UNI

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