New Delhi, Jul 26 (IANS): Congratulating his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee on his assuming the office, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday underlined Islamabad's desire to forge cooperative relations with India to promote peace and stability in the region.

"On behalf of the people of Pakistan and my own behalf, I wish to convey to you our heartfelt felicitations on your assumption of the office of the President of the Republic of India," Zardari said in a message to Mukherjee who was sworn in as the 13th president of India Wednesday.

In his message, he assured Mukherjee of "the sincere desire of the government and the people of Pakistan to work towards forging good neighbourly, friendly and cooperative relations with India, securely founded on the principles of the charter of the United Nations."

"It is imperative that our two countries endeavour to promote stability, peace and prosperity in our region and seek peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue," he said.

Zardari's comments set a positive tone for the meeting between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan in Islamabad next month.

Mukherjee was India's external affairs minister when the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks took place, plunging India-Pakistan ties to a new low.