India's Strategic Forces Command have successfully tested a nuclear-capable Agni-IV ballistic missile, which can strike targets 4,000 km away in the farthest Chinese cities if needed. 

"The successful test reaffirms India's policy of having a credible minimum deterrence capability," the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The missile was test-fired off APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha in eastern India at 7.30 pm Monday evening. The government said the launch validated all operational parameters and the system's reliability.

The test was a part of routine user training launches carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command, said the Defence Ministry.  

India is in the process of further strengthening its strategic missile arsenal by adopting newer technologies and capabilities. Agni-IV is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles  - earlier known as Agni II prime - developed by the country's Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO.

Last year, India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable strategic Agni Prime missile with the capability to hit targets between 1,000 to 2,000 km.

(SAM)