WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. President George W. Bush will visit India and Pakistan next week, White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley said at a briefing on Friday.

    "Next week the president and Mrs. Bush will depart for South Asia. They will travel to India and Pakistan. This is the first trip of the president and Mrs. Bush to either country. They are very much looking forward to it," Hadley said.

    The precise date of the visit was not given possibly because of security reasons.

    Hadley said that while in India, Bush will meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discuss the U.S.-India strategic partnership.

    "The two countries are working together on a range of global issues, including counter terrorism, nonproliferation, energy and the environment, and the expansion of economic and political freedom," Hadley said.

    While in Pakistan, Bush will meet with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and "the two leaders will discuss both countries' commitments to the strong relationship between the United States and Pakistan," Hadley said.

    Pakistan has become a U.S. ally in the war on terror, Hadley added.

    This will be Bush's first visit to South Asia since he assumed the U.S. presidency in 2001. Enditem