NEW DELHI, March 21: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spelt out his mantra for South Asia’s success on Tuesday, telling Bangladash Premier Begum Khaleda Zia that neighbours must cooperate with each other to collectively compete with the world in a globalised economy.

“We believe sincerely that India and our neighbours all have a common destiny. One cannot prosper without the other and it is only through cooperation within the region that we can compete outside it,” Dr Singh said at a banquet he hosted for Begum Khaleda Zia.

“We believe it is in our fundamental interest to see a strong, stable and economically strong Bangladesh making its full contribution to regional development.”

The Bangladesh leader arrived on Monday on a three-day official visit, saying she wished to deepen her country’s ties with India.