The brilliance of indigenous science begins to pale beside the brilliance of indigenous politics which has managed, between launch and re-entry, to place a heavy political payload on an intermediate range ballistic missile which is intended to carry 1,000 kg worth of conventional or nuclear weapons.Within hours of the test-firing, Agni-II was being projected variously as proof of the BJP's toughness and commitment to national security and as a diversionary tactic and its rathyatra to the next election. No one gains by posturing on Agni; the integrated missile development programme and security objectives, on the other hand, are likely to suffer. That Agni-II is already falling victim to political rhetoric is apparent from two kinds of exaggerations surrounding it.The first is the claim made by Defence Minister George Fernandes, well before scientists had evaluated technical data, that the missile is ready to be ``operationalised''. It strains logic to suggest that more tests of the missile system willnot be required before any further decisions can be taken. Agni-I was tested at least three times, in 1989, 1992 and 1994, before it was pronounced a complete success. Politicians rushing to judgement tend to burden scientists with unrealistically high public expectations. At the other extreme is the remark by the usually sober Jyoti Basu to the effect that Agni is no big deal, only a political stunt.A sense of perspective needs to be restored. The test-firing of Agni-II appears to be successful on two counts, technically and with regard to management of the external fall-out. Although the range of around 2,000 km may have fallen short of the expected 2,500 km, the DRDO is on the road to mastering solid fuel technology. Unlike its predecessor, both stages of Agni-II had solid propellants and this is a signal achievement.It is also noteworthy that the DRDO is experimenting with mobile launchers. More data will reveal whether scientists are entirely satisfied with the accuracy of the missile and thefunctioning of all sub-systems. The DRDO must be allowed the time and space to work things out instead of being pushed into an untenable position. That means creating an environment conducive to a full development programme by keeping politics out of it.Domestic political factors undoubtedly played a part in the timing of the test. But the BJP's worst critics will have to concede that the present timing seems right for other reasons. Pakistan's relatively muted initial reaction is probably the outcome of confidence-building efforts by the leadership of the two countries.Much still needs to be done to contain the impact of rival missile tests; Islamabad may feel compelled to show off another Ghauri. However, the chances of keeping the lid on mutual suspicion would have been poorer if Agni was test-fired immediately after Atal Behari Vajpayee's return from Lahore when a positive shift in perceptions was only just emerging. In the interim also, NATO has been doing its best to prove that those with militarysuperiority make the rules. India can therefore expect to escape the worst of western lecturing.
