Sri Lanka, Aug. 21 -- India has said it successfully test-fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile that, when operational, should be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to any part of China.

The Agni-5 missile was successfully launched in India's eastern Odisha state on Wednesday, and authorities said it "validated all operational and technical parameters".

India and China, the world's two most populous nations, are intense rivals competing for influence across south Asia and relations plummeted in 2020 after a deadly border clash.

India is also part of the Quad security alliance with the US, Australia and Japan, which is seen as a counter to China.

India's bitter rival, Pakistan, has nuclear weapons as well and the two countri...