CNews Australia: fears Pakistan's missile testing could provoke instability in the region, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says.
Pakistan's military on Saturday said it test fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km.
Mr Smith on Sunday said Australian officials had not confirmed the test but are assuming it happened.
"Any testing which occurs within that region does have the potential to cause tension or instability," he told Network Ten.
Mr Smith said nuclear rivals Pakistan and India had in recent years been having good talks about such issues.
"We certainly hope that dialogue continues," he said.
"We of course would prefer that the testing didn't occur but we certainly hope that it doesn't lead to any tension or instability in the region."
Pakistan's military on Saturday said it test fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 2,000km.
Mr Smith on Sunday said Australian officials had not confirmed the test but are assuming it happened.
"Any testing which occurs within that region does have the potential to cause tension or instability," he told Network Ten.
Mr Smith said nuclear rivals Pakistan and India had in recent years been having good talks about such issues.
"We certainly hope that dialogue continues," he said.
"We of course would prefer that the testing didn't occur but we certainly hope that it doesn't lead to any tension or instability in the region."
