China described this week's Sino-Indian joint military exercise as a "normal exchange," assuring that the military drill was not targeted against any nation.

The drill was hailed as an 'important event,' given that it was the first ever joint military exercise between the two countries.

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The joint military exercise was held on Oct. 19 in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, which is located barely few kilometers away from the disputed region of Kashmir.

"I would like to point out that this activity is simply a normal exchange between the frontier troops of China and India to properly deal with border affairs," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told Press Trust of India (PTI) on Friday.  "It does not target any third country nor have anything to do with China's position on the Kashmir issue."

The military exercise comes at a time when India is visibly miffed with China due to its continued diplomatic support to Pakistan.

New Delhi reportedly sees Beijing's unconditional support as a stumbling block in its bid to isolate Pakistan after the recent Uri attack.

However, China has maintained all throughout that disputed region of Kashmir is a completely a 'bilateral issue' between India and Pakistan. Beijing's stance apparently signifies that it won't meditate in Kashmir issue on behalf of Islamabad.

India and China's bilateral ties spanning across six decades have been largely marked by a love-hate relationship.

After India's independence in 1947, there was apparent bonhomie between the two countries. Nevertheless, conflict over the Tibetan region and the ensuing war in 1962 left a deep bruise on their bilateral relationship, which has continued to cast shadow even today.

China's decision to become a close ally of Pakistan and festering border issues in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh region has further complicated its relationship with India.  

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