The United States has elevated its engagement with India as part of its effort of free and open Indo-Pacific. <br/><br/>This was stated by the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson in Washington today. <br/><br/>He said US had a long trilateral relationship in the Indo-Pacific between Japan, Australia, and Washington is now working towards whether this will become a quad relationship to include India because of the importance of India's rising economy as well shared national security concerns that US have with India. <br/><br/>Tillerson said a free and open Indo-Pacific means all countries have access to continue their economic development and free access for trade through the region. <br/><br/>He said US have differences with China, such as the South China Sea and Beijing's building of structures, the militarization of these structures, and how that affects our allies in the region as well in terms of free and open trade. <br/><br/>Secretary of State said US is paying a close attention to China's 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) initiative. However, he said, US administration does not intend to contain China's economic growth.