China’s envoy to India has said Beijing “firmly stands with India” and denounced the US as a “bully” for imposing a 50 per cent tariff on New Delhi, in the latest sign of warning ties between the long hostile Asian giants.

Beijing has strongly criticized the United States for imposing steep tariffs on India, calling the move a form of bullying.

Xu said at a time of “hegemony, protectionism, power politics and bullying”, China and India have the responsibility to take the lead in promoting an “equal and orderly multipolar world”.