New Delhi, Oct 31 - Turning on the charm offensive, former US president George W. Bush said here Friday that he had been looking forward to coming to India and "saying namaste".

"I am an old retired guy, so I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts with you," Bush said in his opening remarks at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

Amid much laughter from the audience, he said about his days since retiring as US president: "I suggested Laura take up cooking, she suggested I take up washing dishes."

He said he was using his free time to write a book. "I am giving a fair number of speeches and incredibly I get paid for it."

"Life has changed but some things haven't changed... like my respect for India," Bush added.

Referring to the commonalities between the people of the two giant democracies, the US and India, he said: "Our nations are united by our interests, our values... We share a great appreciation for your robust and free press."

"I really, really like your prime minister," Bush said about Manmohan Singh. (IANS)