More than 170 people died in the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008

Top diplomats from India and Pakistan are to meet for talks in the Indian capital, Delhi, on 25 February, the office of Pakistan's PM has announced.

India had offered to resume official talks with Pakistan earlier this month.

Delhi had suspended a slow-moving peace process with Pakistan after the deadly attacks in the city of Mumbai in 2008.

India blamed Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant organisation, for the attacks in which more than 170 people, including nine gunmen, died.

"It was decided that foreign secretary level talks between the two countries would be held on February 25 in New Delhi," a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister's office said.

Pakistan "should raise all the core issues and impress upon India the need for the expeditious resolution through resumption of composite dialogue," the statement added, alluding to Pakistan's demand to discuss a whole range of issues with its rival.

Kashmir

India and Pakistan began a formal dialogue in 2004 on a number of key issues, including the long-running dispute over Kashmir.

But India suspended the talks after the attack on Mumbai.

Correspondents say there is still much suspicion between the two sides, but there seems to be a willingness on the part of both governments to move forward.

Any thaw between the two countries would be welcomed abroad - particularly by the US, Britain and other countries who have troops in Afghanistan fighting against the Taliban, correspondents add.