Pakistan expects China to play a "bigger role" in persuading India to hold a sustainable dialogue with it to resolve Kashmir and other issues, the country's top envoy here has said.

"We hope China will, over time, be able to persuade India to have sustainable dialogue with Pakistan for the resolution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir," Pakistan's ambassador to China Masood Khan told state-run Global Times in an interview.

His comments assume significance as it comes just hours before the crucial talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao in New Delhi.

He said Pakistan also expects China to play a bigger role in promoting peace and stability in the region. Pakistan had earlier indicated that it would seek China's intervention in the peace process between the two countries.

But, India has all along been against any third-party intervention.

After his India visit, Mr Wen will head to Pakistan on Friday on a three day visit to hold wide-ranging talks with the Pakistani leadership.

Mr Khan said China-Pakistan strategic alliance, often described as "all weather friendship" by both sides remained unaffected by "many changes" that have taken place in both countries.

"Many changes have taken place in both Pakistan and China since the two countries established diplomatic ties 60 years ago. Our friendship has remained unaffected by these changes, and our ties have soared to new heights with every passing year.

"The most important thing we have achieved over this period is the complete political reliability between our sides," he said. Mr Khan attributed the "solid friendship" to the mutualtrust and respect existing between Beijing and Islamabad.

He said that this solidarity has brought about good results in defence and military cooperation between China and Pakistan.

"The two armed forces have been cooperating very well in the fields of military industrial production and joint training," he said, referring to the burgeoning defence ties with two countries jointly a manufacturing the fighter jet, JF-17 Thunder.

The newspaper reported in November that Pakistan Air Force, (PAF) would buy Chinese avionics and missiles to equip 250 of these jets.

Mr Khan, however, said the two countries have not yet realised their trade potential.

"Pakistan and China have realized their economic relations are not as strong as their political ties. But both sides are trying to upgrade economic and trade ties," Mr Khan said.

"We have already established a joint free-trade commission, and we launched a five-year development program in 2006 to strengthen such relations," he said.

The trade volume between China and Pakistan from January to September totalled $6.22 billion.

Concerning the easing of clearance procedures on goods governed by China and Pakistan's free-trade agreement, Mr Khan suggested that an efficient electric data interchange system be developed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said his country is "anxiously waiting" for the visit Mr Wen.

"It is not only about government-to-government contacts with China, it is also people-to-people contacts," Mr Gilani said in an interview with Xinhua news agency.

Mr Gilani said Mr Wen's visit will focus on the strategic partnership, economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people contacts. He said is grateful to China for its prompt assistance to the flood-hit people in Pakistan.

China pledged $250 million aid for 2010 floods.

Year 2011 will mark the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two neighbors.

"Pakistan has declared it as the Pakistan-China friendship year, during which a number of events will be organised," Mr Gilani said.