Pakistan successfully test-fired yesterday a ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, as part of efforts to boost defences in its rivalry with India. The test of the Ghauri (Hatf V) missile, capable of carrying all types of warheads and travelling up to 1,500 km, came a week after a new government took office in India. A Pakistani military statement said Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali watched the test-firing, but did not say where the test was carried out. "The Prime Minister made it clear that Pakistan's edge over its adversaries in the strategic field will be maintained at all costs," the statement said, in an implicit reference to India. "(The) government will provide necessary resources to maintain the quality of the nation's defence." There was no immediate reaction from India, but an Indian defence ministry official said the test had been expected. Analysts said the test was a signal to the Indian government that Pakistan would not lower its guard, despite tentative peace moves. "It's meant to meet technical requirements, ease domestic pressure on peace with India and also convey to the new Indian government that we are going to remain militarily strong," former military general Kamal Matinuddin said. "It's a combination of all." Pakistan test-fired the Shaheen II ballistic missile, with a range of 2,000 km, in March. It said it was capable of carrying nuclear warheads to every corner of India. Japan expressed strong displeasure at Pakistan's test-firing of the missile. In a statement, Foreign Ministry Press secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima called the test "deeply regrettable". India received advance notice from Pakistan of the test, an official source said. Pakistan's high commission (embassy) in New Delhi had informed India's foreign ministry about the possible tests "a couple of days ago," the source said. The ministry however had no immediate comment on the test of the Hatf V missile capable of striking deep into India. **PHOTO CAPTION*** A Pakistani man rides his bike by a replica of a Pakistani Ghauri missile in Islamabad. Pakistan successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, a week after a new government took office in its nuclear-armed neighbor and rival India.(AFP)