The Indian Ambassador to the US Ms. Nirupama Rao has said, India has always regarded the United States as a Pacific power but it is not looking at isolating China in this whole narrative of building better relations with the Asia-Pacific region.

Responding to a question at a function organised by Foreign Policy Initiative, a Washington-based think tank, she said, we see the need to develop more and more habits of cooperation with China.

But when it comes to a security architecture for the Asia- Pacific, we also believe that it must be open and inclusive and rule-based. In reply to a question on India-US relationship, she said, it has now evolved into a multi-dimensional one.

It has come to be defined as a strategic partnership today. In fact President Obama referred to it, as an indispensable partnership, she added. The Indian diplomat said that it's not just about political dialogue between leaders, but it's a very strong and thriving trade and business relationship between the two countries.

On China, Ms.Rao said, the two countries over the years have built a relationship in which they have been able to manage their differences in a very rational and grown-up way.