India on Wednesday formally accepted the name of Aziz Ahmed Khan proposed by Pakistan to be its high commissioner.

The Indian approval paves the way for the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Khan is expected to take up his new assignment soon.

Khan will come in place of Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, who was asked to be withdrawn by India in the wake of the terror attack on the families of army personnel in Kaluchak near Jammu in May last year.

New Delhi has already appointed India's ambassador to China, Shivshanker Menon, as the new high commissioner to Islamabad.

This will be 59-year-old Khan's second stint in Delhi. He had earlier served as a deputy high commissioner to India during 1985-87.

Back in Islamabad, Khan served as director general (South Asia) and was closely associated with India-related issues.

He is currently spokesman of the Pakistan foreign office and due to retire later this year.