ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s desire for friendly and cooperative relations with India while the Foreign Office accused the Indian government of heightening tensions with its diplomatic and political campaigns against Pakistan.

“The leadership and people of Pakistan desire friendly and cooperative relationship with India,” Prime Minister Gilani said in a message to his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh, thanking him for his New Year greetings.

“May the New Year bring peace to our region and progress and prosperity to our people,” Mr Gilani said.

Although the exchange of greetings was viewed as a positive development, it was subdued by a war of words between the two countries, indicating that the thaw in bilateral ties would take more time and confidence-building measures.

The Foreign Office took serious notice by recent statements of Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor, and termed them “most unfortunate”.

Spokesman Mohammad Sadiq accused India of continuing to ratchet up tensions and said such an attitude would not serve the cause of peace, security and stability in the region and counter-terrorism efforts.

He regretted that instead of responding to Pakistan’s constructive proposals, India was fuelling tensions.

Reiterating Pakistan’s appeal to work together to overcome common challenges facing the region, Mr Sadiq said India should avoid orchestrating diplomatic and political campaigns against Islamabad.

“Indulging in blame game is counter-productive.”

He said Pakistan had repeatedly expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Indian government in investigating the Mumbai incident.

“Only yesterday, the prime minister … had informed the National Assembly that the information received from India had been given to the ministry of interior for inquiry, in accordance with the law, and that the results will be shared with the Indian government,” he said.