Apprehension about the new government's policies towards the United States looms large over the ongoing Indo-US Defence Policy Group meeting that began on Tuesday morning.

US Under Secretary of Defence Douglas J Feith, who is heading the US delegation, said the two sides have over the years developed a 'multi-faceted relationship' and made considerable progress in various aspects of Indo-US defence cooperation.

But according to indications, India may go slow on engagements in the missile defence shield programme, for which the previous government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of the first in the world to proclaim support.

Besides, a few weeks before the Congress came to power, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh had criticised the number of military exercises between the two sides.

While painting a rosy picture of the Indo-US defence engagements, US Under Secretary of Defence Douglas J Feith said, "It is important that the new government assess where we are and whether we need to move forward."

The two sides 'appreciate' the fact that missiles posse a 'serious threat' to national security. What kind of prevention needs to be taken are 'important national decisions', he said.

"We discussed the missile defence shield in general terms. We have a number of engagements" such as bilateral visits and exchange programmes on missile defence. "We hope they will continue."

Feith said the DPG meetings are not merely cosmetic but have taken very significant steps in improving the bilateral relations as envisaged by President George W Bush and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Americans want to get to know the new leadership and get them acquainted with the work done under the DPG.