Gautam Bambawale, Indian Ambassador to China / File photo

Indian Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale said in a recent interview to the South China Morning Post that India does not look upon China as a rival or a competitor. He said India looks upon China as a partner in progress and development.

The ambassador cited how China's Xiaomi topped Samsung to become the largest mobile headset provider in India and India’s Bollywood movie Dangal  became a big hit in China in the last year.

"Trade between China and India reached the highest level ever," he added. "Even after the Doklam problem, investment from China to India is increasing and investments from India into China are also increasing," said the ambassador.

"Actually, we have great admiration for China and what China has achieved in the last forty years," he added.

The ambassador stressed that "We don't see any rivalry, competition or threat from China, we only look at China as a partner in progress and development."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying responded at a regular press conference on Tuesday that China feels grateful for Ambassador Gautam Bambawale’s positive statement.

She said that the rapid development of both India and China is an important opportunity for the two countries and the whole world. China and India have similar national situations, in the similar development phase, and share close targets and broad interests. Hence, the two countries are supposed to be partners in the path of development.

"China is willing to make joint efforts with India under the guidance of the consensus made by the two state leaders to enhance political mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and properly control disputes, so as to realize common development," Hua added.