Leaders from both countries hope that the tour, rekindling one of the greatest rivalries in the sport, will help maintain momentum towards a lasting peace.
"Cricket will obviously create a better atmosphere between the countries," said Ratnakar Shetty, India's team manager, in Lahore. "The series is happening because the governments of both countries wanted it."
Hundreds of police and paramilitary troops surrounded Allama Iqbal International Airport.
Pakistani authorities have promised tight security after several international cricket visits were cancelled or curtailed over the last two years because of violence.
Syed Masood Shah, Punjab police chief, said this week that 3,500 police officers would be deployed at Rawalpindi stadium for the second one-day match next Tuesday.
India will play a warm-up match in Lahore on Thursday before travelling to Karachi for the first of five one-day internationals on Saturday.
Indian captain Saurav Ganguly sought to play down the tour's political implications.
"I'm sure it is equally important for both teams to win," he told reporters. "I don't agree with the goodwill issue. It's a cricket match and we are here to win."
Mohammad Kaif, one of three Muslim players in India's one-day squad, said he was excited about the tour.
"I always wanted to play cricket in Pakistan, more so because I have family here," he told Reuters on the flight to Lahore.
Last year the Indian government lifted a ban on home and away matches against Pakistan imposed following tensions over occupied Kashmir.
"It may be a goodwill series, but for us it's very serious," said Sunil Seth, a publisher among the few hundred gathered to see the Indian team off at New Delhi airport.
"We just can't tolerate losing to Pakistan."
India play five one-day internationals between March 13 and March 24, and begin the first of three tests in Multan on March 28. The tour ends on April 17.
HAMID NAWAZ ADDS FROM LAHORE: Indian captain Saurav Ganguly said the test and one-day series with Pakistan will be tough, but his team will endeavour hard to give better performance to return home happily.
Addressing a press conference here, he said they needed no practice because they had played with Australia and showed good performance there. Adding: "Although Pakistani players will have the advantage of their home crowd, but we will also have encouragement from our people and will not disappoint them."
He viewed that both teams were balanced with mature players, therefore, either side could win the series, saying: "But we are in better position because of our boys performed better against Australia."
About the wicket position, Ganguly said both Pakistani wickets and bowlers are not so fast as compared to Australia's.
To a question about the speed of Shoaib Akhtar, Saurav Ganguly said: "We are not scared of him, and our consideration about him is like that of any other Pakistani bowler."
He, however, hoped that people of Pakistan would see good cricket in this series, saying it is a good opportunity for both teams to learn more experiences by this series.
Johan Wright, the coach of the Indian cricket team, said they were satisfied with the security measures, and hoped that no untoward incident would happen during their stay in Pakistan.
He said the Indian team also postponed their practice, and decided to take rest. Now they will play a practice match on Thursday. Saurav Ganguly was of the view that they had been practising for the last three days and on Thursday they will be playing a practice match which will be enough for the purpose.
Earlier, the Indian cricket team was accorded warm welcome on their arrival at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.