India condemns North Korea's rocket launch
"The DPRK rocket launch of February 7 is a matter of deep concern. While countries have the right to exploit outer space for peaceful purposes, this must be in accordance with international obligations," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
"We call upon the DPRK to refrain from such actions, which adversely affect peace and stability in the region," India said.
Ignoring warnings from the part of Washington, North Korea on Sunday launched a rocket that is part of a program to develop intercontinental ballistic missile technologies, reports said.
According to the South Korean Defense Ministry, the rocket blasted off from Tongchang-ri, the North Korea's main satellite launch site near its northwestern border with China.
The three-stage rocket dropped its first stage about two minutes after takeoff.
"It then disappeared from radar four minutes later, as soon as it dropped its fairing, a nose cone used to protect its payload," the New York Times quoted Moon Sang-gyun, a spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, as saying.
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