Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury stated this in an interview with leading English daily, The Hindustan Times.

Bangladesh also assured India that it would not allow any anti-Indian activity from its soil. "We have given enough signals that we will not permit such acts against India," the adviser said.

He was here in connection with the 14th Saarc Summit, which was attended by Chief Adviser Fakhurddin Ahmed.

The foreign advisor had a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other ministers to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties.

The two countries decided to remain in regular touch at foreign secretary level to deal with contentious issues.

The adviser said: "We discussed all issues including water, border and trade. We want to remain engaged with India in a meaningful way without going into the past history of the relationship." He denied that relationship had mired in mistrust.

On the Saarc, he said there is a genuine maturity within the organisation, which has moved from a declaratory phase to one of implementation. He said: "If we can keep pace elsewhere then why not here."

The foreign adviser also stated that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's announcement to allow duty-free access to the least developed countries has been viewed as very positive.