A leading Indian newspaper on Tuesday reported that China has tried to snub the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by not inviting him and his government to the opening ceremony of the Olympics to be held at Beijing on August 8, while India’s Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi has been extended an invitation for the same.

On Thursday, China denied for the report to be true and clarified that Beijing Olympics Committee has no such intentions. China further reported that it is the National Olympic Committee of a country which decides the guest list for the event. The same has been accorded by the International Olympic Committee.

While addressing a press briefing on Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said, “We as the host respect the decisions made by the Olympic committees. We welcome leaders from all over the world, including India, to attend and participate in relevant events in the Olympic Games in Beijing.”

The spokesman further said that the report published by the leading Indian newspaper was not at all conducive to the China-India relations. Liu also added that China gives high regards and importance to the Indian leaders and pays great attention to maintain cordial relations and contacts with them.