Agni-V launch hailed a success by New Delhi

India successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable missile that can reach Beijing and Eastern Europe, thrusting the emerging Asian power into a small club of nations that can deploy nuclear weapons at such a great distance.

Footage showed the rocket, with a range of more than 3,000 miles, blasting through clouds from an island off India’s east coast.

India’s defence minister said the test was “immaculate”.

“Today’s successful Agni-V test launch is another milestone in our quest to add to the credibility of our security and preparedness,” premier Manmohan Singh said in a message to the scientists who developed the rocket.

The Agni-V is the crowning achievement of a programme developed primarily with a threat from neighbouring China in mind. It will not be operational for at least two years.

Only the UN Security Council permanent members – China, France, Russia the United States and Britain – along with Israel, are believed to have such long-range weapons.

The launch, which was flagged well in advance, has attracted none of the criticism from the West faced by pariah state North Korea for a failed bid to send up a similar rocket last week.

China said the two countries should “work hard to uphold friendly strategic co-operation” in the region.

“China and India are not competitors but partners,” said spokesman Liu Weimin.