India’s latest Agni-5 missile test signals a sharp escalation in its nuclear modernization drive, aimed squarely at narrowing the strategic gap with China. The Agni-5 represents a significant improvement in India’s land-based nuclear arsenal, bridging a critical deterrence gap with China. However, Kristensen and others say the growth of India’s nuclear arsenal in turn could spur Pakistan and China to expand theirs. Rajagopalan highlights that Indian sources are divided on how to respond to China’s nuclear buildup, with opinions ranging from qualitative improvements to expanding India’s nuclear arsenal. Despite these differences in views, Rajagopalan says India views its nuclear arsenal primarily as a political tool rather than a weapon.