China has said it will strengthen cooperation with India to ensure a "smooth and successful" passage of the Olympic torch in New Delhi on April 17 as the flame witnessed global protests during its tortuous run in London , Paris and Los Angeles .

"The torch relay will pass through New Delhi and we believe it is a common pride of the Asian people, including Indian people", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told reporters here.

She said India had expressed to China on many occasions that it "positively and warmly" looked forward to the torch relay in New Delhi .

"We are willing to strengthen the cooperation with India during the passage through New Delhi to ensure a smooth and successful relay so that the people across the world could see Indian peoples love for the Olympics," she said.

China had earlier taken up the torch relay issue with India , which has a large population of Tibetans in exile, and New Delhi has assured that it would take steps for its smooth passage.

The US leg of the torch relay today turned into a hide-and-seek between the authorities and demonstrators as the route was changed and shortened, the flame was taken through internal roads under heavy security and whisked away without a customary farewell.

The torch relay was disrupted by Tibetan and human rights activists in London and Paris .