Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar told a news briefing Pakistan had accepted Indian proposals to hold the next round of technical talks on resuming air links between the nuclear-armed neighbours on December 1-2.

He also called for diplomatic missions in both countries to be returned to full strength.

"We have carefully studied the Indian proposals and have decided to respond positively to the latest Indian proposals in the hope that the latest reciprocal steps taken by both countries would lead to the resumption of a meaningful dialogue," he said.

"We hope that India also responds positively to some of the proposals made by us recently to de-escalate the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir," Khokhar said, adding that a reduction in Indian "repression" there was vital to the peace process.

He described Kashmir as the "cancer" and "poison" between the rivals, who have fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory and came close to a fourth conflict in 2002 before relations gradually began to thaw earlier this year.

Last week India moved to get the stalled peace process moving again, although some of its proposals were largely symbolic.

Khokhar said Pakistan had proposed to the Indians to hold technical talks on the resumption of rail links, because most people used to travel by a train called the "Samjhota (Understanding) Express" before links were severed last year.

"We believe that the immediate resumption of Samjhota Express would serve the purpose of what Indians call people-to-people contacts," he said.

He said Pakistan had agreed in principle to India's offer of starting a bus service between Muzaffarabad, state capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, and Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, across the Line of Control (LOC).

"But, as you know, this involves travelling in disputed area, and we are of the considered view that the checkpoints, wherever they are established along the Line of Control, must be manned, controlled by the United Nations and people on the two sides can move with UN documents," he added.

New Delhi said it would not resume direct dialogue with Pakistan unless evidence on the ground showed "cross-border terrorism" in Kashmir was being brought to an end.

Khokhar said Pakistan in recent months had done "just about everything possible" to stop rebels crossing from Pakistani to Indian Kashmir, but it was impossible for any country to completely seal its borders.

"As far as Pakistan is concerned it's done its utmost and that's where the matter rests. The ball is in India's court."

He said Pakistan had also accepted New Delhi's proposal to establish a hot line between coast guards and maritime agencies of the two countries to help prevent fishermen straying into each other's coastal waters.

"We insist on a sustained and serious dialogue between the two countries for a lasting peace between the two countries. We hope that India will reconsider its position on the resumption of the composite talks," Khokhar said.