India has quashed rumours it would postpone the March tour of Pakistan by formally agreeing to the trip. There were fears the first Test series between the two countries for 14 years would be threatened by security fears.
But India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has given formal approval to the tour, according to his foreign minister Yashwant Sinha.
"In the sporting spirit, it was decided that the Indian team plays the series as scheduled," Sinha said.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence from the UK in 1947.
The tour had been approved by India's Ministry of External Affairs "as part of the process for normalisation of diplomatic and other links with Pakistan".
But the series ran into uncertainty after India's interior ministry voiced concerns about the players' security following an inspection to look at security measures within Pakistan.
Media reports said the Indian cricket board had been advised to postpone the trip until after the country's national elections, expected to take place in April and May.
The tour schedule, which could comprise three Test matches and five one-day internationals, is still to be finalised.
The news was met with relief in Pakistan.
"We welcome the very positive decision of the Indian Prime Minister," said Pakistan Cricket Board Shaharyar Khan.
Vajpayee gave his official consent after a top-level meeting attended by interior minister Lal Krishna Advani, former foreign minister Jaswant Singh, who is now the finance minister, and Sinha.
India's junior sports minister Vijay Goel said the schedule for the tour - expected to comprise three Test matches and five one-day internationals - would be agreed by the two nation's cricket boards.
India's is awaiting the report of a three-member delegation assessing venues and security arrangement in Pakistan.
The trio return on Monday with a full report on their visit, and any suggested changes required to the tour itinerary by the Pakistan board.
Cricket relations between India and Pakistan have a stormy history, due to the two neighbour countries' bitter political feuding.
For several years, India's government prohibited the cricket team from touring Pakistan - saying it was against the national interest.
The ban helped the cricket board avoid penalties under the International Cricket Council schedule. India accuses Pakistan of helping Islamic guerrilla groups in Muslim-majority Kashmir to try to form a breakaway state.
Pakistan denies the charge, saying it morally supports the separatists but gives them no material aid.
Both countries are now trying to ease hostilities with peace measures, which include the upcoming cricket tour.
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This will now allow both boards to concentrate on the series 
