Sharing his "personal thoughts, not necessarily the views of the Government of India", at a seminar in Bangalore, Sibal said: "If the US faces challenge in the 21st century, it will not be from India; (but) somebody from neighbour (China)."

The Minister also said the US has to do much more to enhance bilateral relationship with India. While there are a lot of areas for collaboration, India wants to see "action on the table" and Washington should act beyond words, he said.

While the political establishment in Washington is all for a great relationship with New Delhi, "we haven't seen the kind of actions that needs to support the kind of words that are spoken," he told the seminar on science and technology opportunities and Indo-US relations, organised by Observer Research Foundation.

The Cold War mindset still persisted with some sections of the US State Department even as the Bush Administration is keen to enhance ties with India, he said. "The US State Department continues to be close with Pakistan."

Former Indian ambassador to the US Abid Hussain said Washington may be tempted to use New Delhi as a "junior partner", but this is not acceptable to India.