Islamabad: Pakistan on May 9 gave acceptance to the name of career diplomat Shiv Shankar Menon as India's new High Commissioner to Islamabad, paving the way for restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries, nearly 17 months after his predecessor was recalled in the wake of terrorist attack on Parliament.

Official sources said that Pakistan has formally conveyed to India its acceptance of Menon, currently its Ambassador in China, for the hot diplomatic assignment.

As part of fresh peace initiatives, India and Pakistan recently announced restoration of full diplomatic relations.

Menon would succeed Vijay Nambiar, who was recalled by India after the terrorist attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001. Nambiar later took over as India's permanent representative at the United Nations.

Pakistan is yet to nominate its High Commissioner to India. Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Muhammad Kasuri said his government would soon propose the name of its High Commissioner to the Indian government for acceptance.

A host of names, including the present Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan, were reportedly under consideration of the Pakistani government.

A career diplomat, Menon previously worked in several key assignments, including as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, before he moved over to China.

PTI