"Presently, a heavy monsoon is taking place in Sino-Bangladesh relationship," he said while speaking at a seminar on China's Evolving Relations with South Asia' organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the city.

China, which is going to emerge as the world's largest economy by the year 2020, does not support any hegemony and big brotherly attitudes in the international relations, said General Rahman.

India, as a regional power, makes its smaller neighbours feel that she is powerful, he said, adding that India's river-linking project and frequent clashes along the Indo-Bangla borders are worrisome.

"China may dissuade India from pursuing its river-linking project that poses serious threat to lives, livelihood, economy, flora and fauna in Bangladesh," he said.

The new Chinese policy towards South Asia has added a certain degree of uncertainties in regional development, said BIISS Research Director AKM Abdus Sabur while presenting a paper at the seminar.

The uncertainties surround the central question on what kind of relationship is emerging between New Delhi and Beijing and what will be its implications for other South Asian countries, he said.

"China has displayed a distinct unwillingness to be entangled in inter-state conflicts in South Asia," Sabur said, adding, "Instead, it is encouraging the regional countries to concentrate their efforts on the reconstruction of their economies and societies and move away from conflict to a course of cooperation."

A four-member delegation from China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) that collaborated with the BIISS in holding the seminar, also presented a paper on Evolving Sino-Indian Relations: Implications for South Asia.

Recent exchange of premier-level visits has picked speed in Sino-India relations with New Delhi's recent recognition that Tibet is a part of Chinese territory, the delegation said, adding that both sides still need to address a number of other issues to boost up the bilateral ties.

Led by Major General (retd) Luo Bin, the Chinese delegation comprised of Major General (retd) Xu Lingen, and senior colonels Chen Yongxing and Wang Shixi.

A number of former ambassadors, retired and serving army officials and university teachers also spoke at the seminar chaired by BIISS Chairman Mufleh R Osmany.