The talks, expected to start by July, would be the first since New Delhi broke off peace negotiations after militant attacks on Mumbai in 2008.

The nuclear-armed neighbors have been under pressure from the United States to resolve a rivalry that spills over into Afghanistan, complicating peace efforts there.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani welcomed "the important decision taken both by Pakistan and India to resume (a) full spectrum of dialogue".

In a statement, Gilani said the talks were the result of his negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

If talks do resume there is probably little chance of rapid progress between the two countries, which have fought each other three times since their independence more than 60 years ago.

Previous formal talks, which started in 2004, quickly floundered amid a minefield of political obstacles and distrust.

The two governments will hold a series of talks on counter-terrorism and Kashmir ahead of a visit to India by Pakistan's foreign minister by July, the countries' foreign ministries said.