China said on Tuesday it understood India's desire to play a greater role in the United Nations, where China is the only Asian member of the Security Council.

US President Barack Obama, during a visit to India this week, endorsed New Delhi's demand for a permanent seat as part of a "reformed Security Council”.

"China supports appropriate and necessary reforms to the UN Security Council," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing.

"China understands and supports India's wish to play a greater role in the United Nations," Hong said. "China is willing to keep in contact and negotiate with other member countries, including India, on the reform of the United Nations and the Security Council."

Changing the makeup of the Security Council, however, could be a long and difficult process which may face resistance from other permanent members.

China and India have touchy relations on a number of fronts, including disputed borders in the Himalayan mountains.