India’s test of a homemade missile defense shield, which was expected to find and demolish hostile ballistic missiles, have proven to be unsuccessful.

The Indian military officials dismantled the test on Monday after radars failed to keep track of a nuclear-capable missile expected to be detected and destroyed by an interceptor missile.

The target missile was launched from a site 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Bhubaneswar in eastern India.

“The ‘hostile’ missile went off the radars after it took off and deviated from its trajectory and so the interceptor was not launched,” an official from Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said on condition of anonymity, AFP reported.

DRDO spokesman Ravi Gupta in New Delhi acknowledged that the seven-meter (23-foot) interceptor missile was not fired as was expected during the test.

Developing the technology would put India among Israel, Russia and the United States which already possess the sophisticated system.

The DRDO has used the French and Israeli expertise in developing the tracking and fire control radars of its domestic interceptor missile shield project.

Analysts say by developing such a system, India will trigger a new arms race in the region.

India’s test of a homemade missile defense shield, which was expected to find and demolish hostile ballistic missiles, have proven to be unsuccessful.

The Indian military officials dismantled the test on Monday after radars failed to keep track of a nuclear-capable missile expected to be detected and destroyed by an interceptor missile.

The target missile was launched from a site 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Bhubaneswar in eastern India.

“The ‘hostile’ missile went off the radars after it took off and deviated from its trajectory and so the interceptor was not launched,” an official from Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) said on condition of anonymity, AFP reported.

DRDO spokesman Ravi Gupta in New Delhi acknowledged that the seven-meter (23-foot) interceptor missile was not fired as was expected during the test.

Developing the technology would put India among Israel, Russia and the United States which already possess the sophisticated system.

The DRDO has used the French and Israeli expertise in developing the tracking and fire control radars of its domestic interceptor missile shield project.

Analysts say by developing such a system, India will trigger a new arms race in the region.

With Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in India, New Delhi and Moscow inked a raft of agreements on defense, space and civil nuclear energy cooperation and discussed fighting terrorism in the region.

Putin, who was on a one-day deal-making visit to New Delhi, held back-to-back meetings with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, President Pratibha Patil and ruling Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi.

The two countries signed a series of deals on Friday under which India will purchase more than $7 billion in hardware and expertise from Russia.

The multi-billion-dollar agreements include the construction of at least 12 Russian nuclear reactors for an energy-starved India, purchase of an aircraft carrier, a fleet of MIG-29 fighters, along with defense and space technology.

Following the signing of the agreements, Singh told a joint press conference that India and Russia can work together to promote global peace and stability and help revive the global economy.

“We’ve agreed to intensify our consultations on Afghanistan and the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism in our region,” the Indian prime minister told reporters.

The new pacts come as the Russian prime minister wants the level of trade between India and Russia to expand to $20 billion a year by 2015 from the current $8 billion.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for multibillion dollar defense and nuclear cooperation deals.

Putin, who arrived in New Delhi along with a high-ranking delegation on March 12, is scheduled to meet with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.

Indian officials say the total value of around 15 documents that are to be signed between the two leaders will exceed 10 billion dollars.

“During the visit, both sides will review the entire range of bilateral ties and exchange views on how to nurture and further expand our strategic partnership,” Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Vishnu Prakash said.

Russia is expected to upgrade Admiral Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya) aircraft carrier for India and deliver MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters to its south Asian partner.

Further agreements will include a fifth generation fighter aircraft project and work on a multi-role transport aircraft, RIA Novosti reported.

Fresh clashes in the Indian-Administered Kashmir left at least eight people dead and several others injured on Wednesday amid escalating conflict there.

The Indian army says two soldiers and an officer are among those killed in the gun battle in Sopore town, south of the capital Srinagar.

The clashes erupted on Tuesday after Indian troops surrounded two houses they allege an armed group was holed up in.

“Five militants, including a top Lashkar-e Taiba commander, are believed to have been killed in the gunfight. But this would be only confirmed after the debris clearing operation is completed,” the Hindustan Times quoted a regional security official as saying.

Three other troops and a civilian were injured in the fierce exchange of fire that raged for several hours.

Police are still searching for bodies of more gunmen in the ruins of the building, which was destroyed in the battle.

Indian troops are in constant fights with militants seeking independence in the area.

Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.

Amid a fresh wave of violence in Indian-Administered, government troops killed three people on Monday during an exchange of fire.

The Indian Army says that the three were local fighters. The incident took place in Kulgam and Ragouri districts south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-Administered Kashmir.

“The gun battles erupted after soldiers raided two houses where the militants had taken refuge, “a police spokesman was quoted by AFP as saying.

Indian-Administered Kashmir has recently witnessed a surge in violence after months of relative calm.

Violent opposition against Indian rule in the region erupted in 1989 and has claimed more than 47,000 lives, according to an official count.

Massive demonstrations have been held in Indian-administered Kashmir for the third consecutive day over the killing of a second teenage boy in one week.

On Sunday, hundreds of people took to the streets in Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar despite a protest ban in the region.

The demonstrators also threw stones at a motorcade of a senior minister of the Jammu and Kashmir state government who had gone to meet the bereaved family, AFP reported.

Witnesses say 16-year-old Zahid Farooq was killed on Friday when police opened fire on a group of youth without provocation.

The government has banned the assembly of more than four people in Srinagar and some other major towns in Kashmir.

Residents of downtown Srinagar have complained that medicines and food stocks are being depleted since they have been under a strict curfew for several days.

Separatist leaders say the international community should hold the Indian security forces accountable for human rights violations in Kashmir.

Despite the risks, it seems the Kashmiris are determined to continue their “people power” movement.

Political analysts say the frequent street protests of the past two years are giving new life to the Kashmir liberation struggle.

Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.

India has successfully tested an intermediate-range nuclear-capable missile, a capability a group of few nations have.

The Agni-III missile, with a range of more than 3,000 kilometers (2,000 miles), was tested from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa, an Indian defense ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

“All the parameters have been met, the test was successful,” the source told AFP, adding that the missile was fired from a mobile launcher.

It was the fourth test of the weapon, which can carry 1.5 tons of conventional or nuclear payloads. The first and second tests had failed.

Later, the Indian defense industry introduced DRDO-developed missile which was successfully tested in 2007 and 2008.

The news comes days after making a proposal for a resumption of talks with Pakistan at the foreign secretary-level, signaling a major breakthrough in relations, frozen since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.

There have been massive demonstrations in Indian-administered Kashmir over the killing of a second teenage boy in one week.

On Saturday thousands of men, women, and children took to the streets of Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar.

“Blood for blood, we want freedom,” the protesters shouted.

Demonstrators marched with the body of 16-year-old Zahid Farooq in the Nishat area of Srinagar, Reuters reported.

Witnesses say Farooq was killed on Friday evening when security forces opened fire on a group of youth without provocation.

Farooq’s death is the sixth over the past month that locals have blamed on Indian government forces.

Paramilitary soldiers extended a curfew in most parts of Srinagar for a third straight day on Saturday.

Separatist leaders say the Indian government should hold the security forces accountable for human rights violations in Kashmir.

Despite the risks, it seems the Kashmiris are determined to continue their “people power” movement.

Political analysts say the frequent street protests of the past two years are giving new life to the Kashmir liberation struggle.

Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.

Violent clashes have continued for a third day in Indian-administered Kashmir between Indian police and people over the death of a teenage protester.

On Sunday, Wamiq Farooq was hit in the head by a teargas shell as police dispersed a demonstration against Indian rule.

According to police sources more than 80 protesters and about 30 policemen have been injured in the past three days’ clashes.

Inspector-General Farooq Ahmad from the Kashmiri Police told Press TV that they have adopted remedial measures to stop such incidents from occurring in future.

Shops and businesses in most of the Kashmir Valley were closed on Wednesday and many vehicles stayed off the roads.

Since 2009, Kashmir has regularly witnessed clashes between stone-throwing protesters and police forces. The police have drawn up a list of youngsters who are involved in stone throwing, said a police official.

Police use Public Safety Act to punish stone-throwers. Under the legislation those who endanger the security of the state will face two years of detention without trial.

Legal experts, however, say stone-throwing is a minor offence that could be dealt with “ordinary laws”.

The state administration in Indian-administrated Kashmir has observed India’s 60th Republic Day without hoisting the national flag.

Senior state officials said that hoisting the banner was seen as a “needless provocation” to the separatist elements in the area, The Times of India reported on Wednesday.

A high state of alert was in place on Tuesday at Lal Chowk, the heart of heavily guarded Srinagar and the site of celebrations.

Most people stayed indoors in response to a strike called by separatists.

Kashmir has seen violent clashes between protestors and security forces over the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, all mobile phone services were jammed in the Jammu region to prevent coordinated attacks on sensitive installations.

Addressing a function commemorating Republic Day, Indian officials blamed Pakistan for the unrest in the scenic valley.

“During past two decades, the growth of extremist ideologies and terrorist activities, sponsored and supported from across our frontiers, have resulted in enormous human and economic losses,” Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra said.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars and engaged in a number of smaller conflicts since independence from British rule in 1947.

Analysts say the frequent street protests of the past two years are giving new life to the liberation movement in the disputed Himalayan region.

The Republic Day of India commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950.

New Delhi and Seoul sign several cooperation pacts and set a target of nearly doubling their bilateral trade as South Korean president confers with top Indian dignitaries.

Keen to upgrade their bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership,” the two countries agreed Monday to create a framework for bilateral civil nuclear cooperation and signed agreements ranging from peaceful uses of the outer space to cooperation in information technology and the transfer of convicted criminals.

Four accords were signed by the foreign ministers of both countries in the presence of the South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, on a four-day official tour of India, and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi.

The two states also set a target of nearly doubling their $16 billion bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2014 and accelerating cooperation in fields such as combating maritime piracy and joint development of military hardware.

Singh and Lee held discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including trade and UN reforms. Both agreed to set up a fund of $10 million (with each side contributing $5 million) to promote bilateral research ventures.

Singh, eager for more South Korean investment in manufacturing and infrastructural sectors, assured Lee that his government was doing everything possible to fast-track the $12 billion South Korean Posco steel project at Jagatsinghpur district in Orissa, the single largest foreign direct investment in India.

President Lee also met top Indian leaders including, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, chairperson of the India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi and Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, for a demonstration, accusing the Indian army of killing a civilian.

The protesters chanted “blood for blood” and “we want freedom” on Sunday.

The protests came after a local businessman was killed in a shootout in the region on Saturday.

The police say Mushtaq Ahmad Mir was killed in the crossfire during a clash between militants and Indian troops. The protesters allege the soldiers shot the man in the conflict.

Another civilian was reportedly killed on Friday when police opened fire on hundreds of people protesting the establishment of a police camp near a Muslim shrine.

Analysts say the frequent street protests of the past two years are giving new life to the liberation movement in the disputed Himalayan region.

A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows India can overtake Japan as the world’s third largest economy by purchasing power parity (PPP) by 2012.

India’s economy expanded 7.9 % in the second quarter of 2009-10 and is expected to grow over 7 % in the whole fiscal hear, posits the global accounting firm. According to the key policy makers of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government, India will return to a 9% growth trajectory in two or three years.

The effects of the global financial crisis on India and China were largely limited; both countries returned to high growth rates in 2009 while Western economic giants are still facing slow growth and unemployment.

Additionally, India is expected to grow faster than China after 2020. China, which was projected to become the world’s largest economy by 2041, now looks set to achieve the distinction sometime around 2020, the PwC report said.

”While the exact date is open to doubt, it seems highly likely that, by 2030, China will clearly be the largest economy in the world on PPP,” writes PwC head of macroeconomics, John Hawksworth, in the report.

The report, released Friday by PwC, the largest of the world’s Big Four auditing firms, projected that China will overtake the US to become the world’s largest economy by 2020, more than 20 years ahead of the earlier prediction of 2041.

It is also predicted that China’s share in global GDP will be 19% by 2030, while the proportion for the US and the EU will be 16% and 15%, respectively.

Russia plans to construct up to 8 nuclear reactors in Indian West Bengal as part of a long-term pact between the two countries for expanding civil nuclear cooperation.

“The Government of India has taken a decision and has awarded us the new site at Haripur in West Bengal. It means we will build at least six, maximum eight nuclear power reactors,” Chief of the Russian State Nuclear Corporation RosAtom Sergei Kiriyenko said Friday.

Srikumar Banerjee, Head of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, said recently that the country was planning to increase nuclear power generation to 60 gigawatts by about 2035, from the 4.7 gigawatts currently produced by 18 reactors.

“India’s established reserve of uranium will allow us to raise our installed capacity only to 10 gigawatts,” he said.

On December 15, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin said his country was planning to set up 12 to 14 nuclear reactors in India, adding that Moscow had no issues with transferring enrichment and reprocessing technologies to New Delhi.

“We do not have domestic laws as strict as in some other countries. We do not see many problems in this field,” he said.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has arrived in New Delhi, looking to forge closer military links with India.

Gates met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, and other officials on Tuesday, which was the first day of his two-day visit.

Pundits say he made the trip to urge India to buy scores of fighter aircraft, as well as other expensive hardware, from US military contractors.

“There are also a lot of other defense acquisitions that are on the table,” AP quoted Lalit Mansingh, the former Indian ambassador to the United States, as saying on Tuesday, shortly before Gates’ arrival.

India is expected to become a major customer for the US military-industrial complex over the next few years.

The Indian army has evacuated all hospitals and schools in Indian-administered Kashmir in a bid to “improve security situation” there.

“This has been done to reduce the visibility of the army, without in anyway diluting out counter-militant grid,” Defense Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday in a visit to the region.

The paramilitary police will take more responsibility in securing the state, most notably the key Jammu-Srinagar highway, he noted.

The Indian minister said “the process of winning hearts and minds of people is never an easy one,” recalling the unpopular presence of the Indian army in the state.

The military has recently pulled some 30,000 troops out of Kashmir.

However, the Indian official warned that militant attempts to infiltrate into the region from Pakistan had increased.

The prime ministers of India and Bangladesh meet in New Delhi to cement ties between the two south Asian neighbors and sign five cooperation pacts.

Dr. Manmohan Singh and his counterpart, Ms. Sheikh Hasina Wajed, met Monday to discuss bilateral relations, focusing on security, terrorism, border issues, trade and cooperation in infrastructure building.

India has described the visit by the Bangladeshi prime minister as “path-breaking.” In a significant step in that direction, New Delhi has announced transit links through India from Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan — a long-standing demand by all three smaller neighbors in order to facilitate easier trade.

Later, the two leaders witnessed the signing of five cooperation agreements relating to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer convicts, fight against terror, organized crime and illegal drug trafficking, power cooperation, as well as cultural exchange programs.

In a series of high-level meetings, Ms. Hasina, on her first official visit, assured New Delhi on the first day of her 4-day official visit, that Dhaka would not allow its soil to be used as a base for operations by groups hostile to India.

Ms. Hasina began her official engagements by laying a wreath at Rajghat, sepulcher of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Later, she called on President Pratibha Patil and also met United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The Indian subcontinent’s new year tradition played out again as India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities.

According to Article II of the Pakistan-India Prohibition of Attacks Agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988 and came into force on January 27, 1991, each country should also state the exact location of their nuclear installations.

In Islamabad, Pakistan’s list was handed over to a diplomat of the Indian High Commission at the foreign Office at 11 a.m. local time.

A little later, India handed over its list to a Pakistani diplomat at its headquarters in South Block at 11.30 a.m.

This was the nineteenth consecutive list exchange between the two countries.

At least 60 people have been injured as Indian police, trying to stop defying mourners in Kashmir, used batons and tear gas against them.

Since 1989, when a rebellion broke out against Indian rule, New Delhi has banned public gatherings and Muharram processions marking the martyrdom anniversary of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein (PBUH), in the year 61 Hijra (680 CE).

On Saturday evening, when police tried to stop the procession, clashes erupted between the mourners and police in Srinagar, the main city of Kashmir.

The police used batons and fired tear gas at the hundreds of stone-throwing mourners. At least 60 were injured, including seven policemen and six photojournalists, news reports said late on Saturday.

More than 50 people were also detained.

The procession was headed by members of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen Jammu & Kashmir, part of the region’s main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority state since an anti-Indian insurgency broke out two decades ago.