'The Asian Arms Race Is Starting to Look Ominous'

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http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,828744,00.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/bild-828744-341195.html
India on Thursday successfully tested a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.

Asia's military might appears to be growing by leaps and bounds these days. Just last month, China announced a significant increase to its military spending. Since then, North Korea attempted (and failed) to launch a rocket into space, the United States began a joint military exercise with the Philippines and, on Thursday, South Korea tested a missile whose range includes all of North Korea.

The biggest headlines, however, have been reserved for India's testing on Thursday of a long-range ballistic missile. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh praised the successful launch, saying it was "another milestone" in India's "quest for security, preparedness and to explore the frontiers of science." Many observers, however, noted that it furthered India's goal of becoming a counterweight to China's military dominance in the region.
When the rocket, the Agni V, becomes part of the Indian military's arsenal in 2015, the country will become the most recent member in the exclusive club of nations that possess ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads -- a group that includes China, Britain, France, Russia, the US and, it is widely assumed, Israel.

International reaction has been muted. Mark Toner, spokesman for the US State Department, said "I just would say that we urge all nuclear-capable states to exercise restraint regarding nuclear capabilities." NATO head Ander Fogh Rasmussen added that the trans-Atlantic alliance does not see India as a threat.