PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION<br/> <br />India test-fired a long range missile capable of reaching deep into China and Europe on Thursday (April 19).<br/> <br />The launch puts the emerging Asian power into an elite club of nations with intercontinental nuclear weapons capabilities.<br/> <br />A scientist at the launch site said the launch was successful, minutes after television images showed the rocket with a range of more than 5,000 km (3,100 miles) blasting through clouds from an island off India's east coast.<br/> <br />The Indian-made Agni V is the crowning achievement of a now-mothballed missile programme developed primarily with a possible threat from neighbouring China in mind.<br/> <br />Only the U.N. Security Council permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United States and Britain - along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.<br/> <br />Fast emerging as a world economic power, India is keen to play a larger role on the global stage, and has long angled for a permanent seat on the Security Council.<br/> <br />In recent years it has emerged as the world's top arms importer as it rushes to upgrade equipment for a large but outdated military.<br/> <br />The launch was flagged well in advance.<br/> <br />It has attracted none of the criticism from the West faced by North Korea, over its failed bid to send up a rocket last week, although China noted the launch with disapproval.
