India's missile launch not a surprise: US

The White House said Delhi had notified the US and Pakistani governments ahead of time.

The White House said on Monday that India's test-firing of a nuclear-capable, long-range missile was not a surprise because Delhi had notified the US and Pakistani governments ahead of time.

HT Image

"It did not come as a surprise," spokesman Tony Snow said. "We were aware, and understood it would be a routine test."

The Agni-III missile, which has a range of 4,000 km, developed problems after a successful take-off on Sunday.