An Indian news agency, Press Trust of India, quotes a top official of the country's defense ministry as saying India is developing a longer range version of its nuclear-capable Agni missile.
V-K Aatre, scientific advisor to the defense minister, said the new Agni-three missile will have a range in excess of 3,000 kilometers, expanding its reach to more potential targets in Pakistan and some parts of China.
India test fired a shorter range version of the surface-to-surface Agni missile on Thursday, drawing criticism from Pakistan, the United States and Britain.
India and Pakistan came to the brink of war last year after New Delhi accused Pakistan-based Islamic rebel groups of an attack on the Indian Parliament that killed nine people.
Mr. Aatre said India expects to test-fire the longer range Agni-three later this year. Agni means fire in the Hindu language.
Both India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998 causing international outrage and provoking economic sanctions by the United States and other Western nations.