New Delhi, May 8 (IANS): US ambassador to India Richard Verma on Friday said the relationship between the US and India was not directed at any third country as it stands "on its own".

"I think the relationship between the US and India stands on its own, not directed at any third country," he said in an interview with CNN-IBN.

He, however, said the US' relationship with China and India's ties with China have some similarities, elements of competition, cooperation... "but the India-US partnership is very strong and based on a simple promise that when the two largest democracies act together a really powerful and wonderful thing can happen".

On 'Ghar Wapsi', he said as an ambassador "we have traditions from this country, my family came from this country and a belief in religious diversity and religious tolerance which is exactly what the prime minister (Narendra Modi) has talked about and what the president (Barack Obama) has talked about".