By signing the non-aggression pact Dhaka renounces the use of force and calls for greater economic and political cooperation in the region.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury, who led the delegation to the ARF, signed the treaty on Bangladesh's behalf at a ceremony attended by foreign ministers from a large number of Asean and other countries of the region.

Bangladesh became the 13th signatory to the non-aggression pact, with Sri Lanka also signing the treaty yesterday to become the 14th signatory.

The foreign adviser also held key bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ARF with the Indonesian foreign minister and Canadian deputy foreign minister.

Besides, Iftekhar attended a retreat of 27 foreign ministers from South-East Asia, Far East Asia, South Asia, Europe and the United States, where he invited regional countries to send their troops to train at BIPSOT, Bangladesh's 'state of the art' peacekeeping training facility.

"In my intervention, I stressed on Bangladesh's commitment to both security and development. I referred to our huge role in peacekeeping that has earned international accolade," Iftekhar said, according to a foreign ministry press release from Manila.

He also apprised the attending ministers of Bangladesh's concern with regard to climate change and disaster management.

Regarding TAC, Iftekhar said, "This treaty is the centerpiece of ARF and today is a red-letter day in the history of Bangladesh foreign policy."

"Security, peace and development are the concerns we share with others in the region, and I have no doubt that in all these areas the cooperation among our countries will strengthen," he said.

Asean's 1976 Treaty of Amity and Cooperation is the grouping's founding non-aggression pact aimed at promoting regional stability.

Iftekhar added that Bangladesh is proud to be part of the ARF and the forum's political and economic significance is growing as proven by the participation of 'key members of the international community' such as the US, European Union, Russia, China, Japan, Australia and Canada.

The foreign adviser along with other ARF ministers attended a gala dinner in the evening, hosted by the current Asean chairman, the Filipino foreign minister.

In his meeting with the Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda, the two sides decided to "Examine the possibilities of expanded investments and trade."

Welcoming the recent Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries for the first time that concluded in Dhaka, Iftekhar said, "We are two very large Islamic countries in the region, both with immense potentials."

They also talked about strengthening the Developing-Eight (D-8), a group of leading developing countries which includes Bangladesh and in which Indonesia currently serves as the chairman.

Iftekhar had also met Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard Edwards. They discussed Canadian support to Bangladesh for anti-terrorism measures.

The foreign adviser returns Dhaka today.