Recent press reports in the region have said missile tests by the two countries may be imminent. U.S. officials consider such missiles a threat to regional security because they are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Missile tests would not be helpful to efforts to reduce tensions and build confidence through dialogue in South Asia. Rubin said U.S. embassies in New Delhi and Islamabad have raised the issues, as have other countries. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott will visit both countries later in the month to discuss the matter, Rubin said.
Pakistani officials insist the missile was produced domestically.
In May, first India and then Pakistan tested a series of nuclear devices, escalating tensions in South Asia and raising fears of nuclear proliferation. Both governments subsequently promised to adhere to a moratorium on further nuclear tests. However, that moratorium does not apply to missile tests. Both India and Pakistan have said they plan to proceed with their missile programs. State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppel and Reuters contributed to this report.