China-India relationship is not going to be a walk in the park: Chinese Consul General in India

Chinese Consul General Ma Zhanwu said today that his country does not pose a threat to any other nation, and "certainly not India".

Speaking at the inaugural session to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Cheena Bhavana in Kolkata, the Consul General said: "China-India relationship is not going to be a walk in the park. It is going to be difficult with ups and downs. However, we need to have confidence that we can do it."

"We need to aim high. We need to have mutual trust. We need to hear from the other side as well," he added.

India and China were involved a long border standoff at Doklam for over two months which ended after both countries agreed to an "expeditious disengagement of border personnel".

"Our president had said China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion, and will not pose any threat to anybody," Zhanwu insisted.

Even as the world focussed its attention on the Doklam crisis, India-China relations nosedived at the UN over Masood Azhar in the past year.

India has been insisting on designating Pak-based Jaish terrorist Masood Azhar a "global terrorist", however, China has consistently blocked the move due to its close relations with Pakistan.

Describing China as a "modern, prosperous, socialist and democratic" country, Ma said it wants to make its relationship with India most vibrant, adding,"We need to look at our immediate neighbours. This is true for both nations."

Zhanwu told the audience in Kolkata that the "differences" between the two countries were outweighed by their shared interest and trust.