The missile tests carried out by India and Pakistan have to some extent detracted from the sense of optimism that pervaded the Lahore summit.

There the prime ministers of India and Pakistan emphasised what they described as their mutual desire to work for a durable peace.

But India's decision to test-fire its Agni-II missile on Sunday led to a return of some of the hostile rhetoric that has for many years characterised relations between the two countries.

Regional imbalance

The Pakistani foreign minister, Sartaj Aziz was not slow to accuse India of a failure to show restraint.

He said that Delhi was engaged in a massive weapons acquisition programme which was contributing towards a regional imbalance in South Asia.

For its part, the Indian leadership insists that its tests will have no bearing on its relations with Pakistan.

The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said that the test was purely for defensive purposes.

He stressed it was not meant as an act of aggression against Pakistan or China, even though Agni II is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead anywhere in Pakistan, while much of China is also within range.

China a 'greater threat'

Only last year the Indian defence minister, George Fernandes, warned that China posed a potentially greater threat to India's security than Pakistan.

While it remains to be seen exactly how the tests will affect relations between the two countries, many commentators say that little will change on a day-to-day basis.

They argue that the recent growth in sporting, cultural and diplomatic exchanges between the two countries is unlikely to be affected even if bilateral trade remains at a negligible level.

In the weeks since the declaration was signed, a Pakistani cricket and hockey team has toured India, and there has been a prisoner exchange between the two countries.

Furthermore, a group of Sikhs from Pakistan were recently allowed by India to attend anniversary celebrations in the Punjab.

Tip offs

It is also significant that both countries say that they tipped each other off before they carried out their respective tests.

One of the key parts of the Lahore Declaration was a commitment by both sides to develop such confidence building measures.

Perhaps the best indicator of a long term rapprochment between India and Pakistan will be seen later this year, by which time both countries have pledged to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.