Google is in talks with the Indian government on masking maps and images of sensitive installations in the country.

"Talks are on between our legal experts and the Indian government on carrying images and maps of sensitive installations on the Internet application Google Earth. We may arrive at a conclusion soon," a top Google official said in Bangalore on Tuesday.

He said Google was engaging governments of various countries on the same subject after several of them raised objection. "We are using only those images and maps which are available in the public domain. We are respecting the local laws and adhering to them," he added.

The discussion with the Indian government assumes significance with President A P J Abdul Kalam expressing concern over security issues, particularly the access to images of defence installations on the Internet.

Google Vice-President Vinto G Cerf said the issue was sensitive in nature.