PTI

Washington, Jan 25: US President George W Bush has announced that he will visit India and Pakistan in March, saying he was "really looking forward" to the trip.
 
Bush did not specify any date for the visit while making the announcement himself for the first time, during a joint appearance at the White House with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

"I will be travelling to India and to Pakistan in March and I want to thank you in advance for your invitation and your hospitality," he said, at the Oval Office.

Bush was already expected to visit India some time in March, but no formal announcement was made by him earlier. "...We consider this friendship (with Pakistan) to be a vital friendship for keeping the peace. So Prime Minister thank you for coming and I am really looking forward to going to your country," he said at the Oval Office.

Bush's visit to India comes amid intense parleys towards implementing the landmark deal on civilian nuclear co-operation.