ISLAMABAD, May 2: Twelve Pakistani parliamentarians will visit New Delhi next week for informal talks aimed at developing ties between the nuclear-armed rivals, the coordinator of the trip said on Friday.

The Pakistani delegation, drawn from ruling and opposition parties, would leave on May 8 for talks with Indian parliamentarians and peace activists, coordinator Ishaq Khakwani told Reuters.

“It is an informal channel that is meant to develop the relationship between the public representatives of the two countries and various segments of society,” said Khakwani, who is also a member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League party.

The week-long trip was being organized by the Pakistan India People’s Forum, a non-official group comprising former diplomats, ex-military officials and peace activists from the two countries, he said.