BEIJING (March 14, 2024) – China has responded to India's successful Agni-V missile test, equipped with Multiple Independently Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. While downplaying the immediate threat, Chinese state-run media and experts acknowledge India's significant technological progress.
Liu Zongyi, director of the Center for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, maintains that China remains unconcerned. He asserts that India's overall military strength still lags behind China's, downplaying the immediate impact of the test on the regional power balance.
However, the Global Times, China's state-run media, concedes India's growing prowess in ballistic missile technology. An anonymous Beijing-based military expert recognizes India's ability to launch multiple satellites with a single rocket, highlighting this advancement as the cornerstone of developing MIRV systems. The expert stresses that India's progress should not be completely overlooked.
This measured response represents China's calculated approach. It attempts to diminish any perception of immediate strategic vulnerability while subtly acknowledging India's increasing technological sophistication.
India's advancement in MIRV technology marks a significant milestone in its defense capabilities. With MIRVs, a single missile can deliver multiple warheads to different targets, potentially altering the strategic dynamics within the region. While China downplays the immediate threat, this development underscores India's determination to bolster its military might.
