Offer still holds, but we146;ll watch: Feith

Despite rumours that the Indian security establishment would go easy on the growing Indo-US ties, Under-Secretary Defence for Policy, spoke familiar language by insisting that the US had renewed its offer to the new government to cooperate on a missile defence shield. 8216;8216;It is a new government so we will wait and see what it thinks,8217;8217; said the under-secretary, Douglas Feith, after his meeting with Defence Ministry officials.

While the two sides have held discussions on further Indo-US joint exercises as well as transfer of military hardware, they are likely to agree on a definitive course of action tomorrow. Feith also brushed aside any worries on the part of the US over India8217;s strategic ties with Iran. 8216;8216;We all know that Iran is a problem for the US due to its nuclear programme, its support to terrorism and hostility towards the US,8217;8217; said Feith, adding that India too was aware of these issues. He said the US would continue its balancing act between India and Pakistan as 8216;8216;both are important friends with whom we share a strategic relationship8217;8217;.

He reiterated that the US had renewed its offer to substantially increase Indo-US joint exercises and made significant progress on Defence trade and exchange of information of high-technology issues. The official also called on Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee. 8212; ENS