Lucknow: President A P J Abdul Kalam on August 11 defended the decision to develop missiles, but said India was committed to its promise of no first use.

"India has developed missiles to protect our borders as some of our neighbours are not friendly with us," he said in reply to a query during a question-answer session in Lucknow Public College grounds.

India was forced to develop its missile technology just to protect its borders. However, the country would keep its promise of no first use, Kalam said. "We will use these weapons only if India is attacked."

The President, who inaugurated a two-day national children science festival in Lucknow, replied in the negative when asked whether the Indian economy was in shambles. "We have an agricultural boom and our economy is stable," he said.

PTI