India vice-captain Rahul Dravid has said the experience gained during an impressive tour to Australia earlier this year will be the key to a winning campaign in the upcoming series in Pakistan.

India, who surprised experts by drawing the Test series in Australia 1-1, travel to Pakistan next week for their first full tour of their neighbours in more than 14 years.

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They have never managed to win a Test there, losing five and drawing 15.

"We had a tough series in Australia and we'd like to use that to our advantage in Pakistan," Dravid told reporters on Wednesday.

"There were four very intense Test matches in Australia. It'll help us if we carry forward that intensity into the next series."

Pakistan came to India four years ago for a Test series but the Indian government then banned all bilateral cricket between the nations due to political tensions.

Relations have thawed since last year with the countries rebuilding diplomatic ties, restoring transport links and calling a truce along the frontline in Kashmir.

"It's an historic tour, and we're very excited," Dravid said.

India will play five one-day internationals, starting in Karachi on March 13, and three Tests.