The Agni-5 trial has strengthened India's strategic deterrence

India's Agni-5 test of a multiple-warhead ballistic missile places the country in a league of powers with only the US, UK, Russia, China and France as other members. Importantly, its success steps up India's deterrence at a time China has openly begun to pursue a policy of power projection beyond its borders. Though not strictly an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) of the order possessed by the Big Five that can hit targets as far as 15,000km, its 5,000km-plus range brings the farthest parts of China and even some of Europe within our strike radius. This will raise the stakes for…