WASHINGTON, Jan 24: Announcing his intention to visit Pakistan during his South Asian tour in early March, US President George W. Bush said on Tuesday that his country had a strategic relationship with Pakistan and he wanted to see this relationship further strengthened.

In a joint press appearance with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the White House, Mr Bush also noted Pakistan’s cooperation in the war against terror.

“I want to thank the prime minister, the president and the people of Pakistan for working with the US in the war against terror,” he said.

Mr Bush, whose plan to visit India in early March has been widely reported, confirmed that he would also go to Pakistan during this tour. “I am looking forward to visit your country. I shall be travelling to India and Pakistan in early March,” he said.

Responding to the announcement, Prime Minister Aziz said: “The president, the cabinet and the people of Pakistan are looking forward to your visit. It’s an important visit for building relations further between our two countries.”

Referring to US assistance for the earthquake victims, Mr Bush once again emphasized the importance of America’s ties with Pakistan, describing it as “a vital friendship.”

He said that US taxpayers, the military and the private sector had all helped raise funds for the people of Pakistan who were confronted by “a terrible tragedy.”

This help was necessary because “the people of Pakistan are our friends,” he added.

Both Mr Bush and Mr Aziz avoided any reference to the Jan 13 US missile attack on a village in the Bajaur tribal region. Later, when Mr Aziz reappeared before the media after his lunch with Mr Bush he was asked if he had discussed the Bajaur incident with the US president. “We discussed all issues related to relations between the two countries,” said the prime minister and abruptly ended the briefing.

The attack has caused widespread protests in Pakistan, creating new tensions for the US-Pakistan alliance against terror which began after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

During the joint briefing both Mr Bush and Mr Aziz refused to take questions and instead made separate brief statements, stressing the need for continuing their cooperation in the war against terror.

In the separate briefing after the lunch Mr Aziz said he also had discussed the possibility of seeking US cooperation for producing nuclear energy for civilian use but this issue was not mentioned in the joint briefing.

During Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the White House on Jan 13, the US signed a deal offering to help India develop its civilian nuclear facilities. In his earlier statement, Prime Minister Aziz had said that Pakistan is seeking a similar arrangement as well.

Mr Aziz said that in his almost two-hour long meeting and luncheon with Mr Bush he discussed “a host of issues” with the US president, including defence cooperation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

He said he thanked President Bush for the US assistance to the earthquake victims. “The helicopters, hospitals, engineers and the financial assistance from the corporate sector have touched the hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan,” said the prime minister.

“We appreciate that and it will help restore the lives of the victims. This sense of caring and sharing build better relations between peoples and countries,” he added.

He said the US and Pakistan had multi-faceted relations and his discussions with President Bush had covered the economy, trade and investment as well.

Pakistan, he said, was a growing economy and the US should invest there.

Referring to Pakistan’s efforts to improve relations with India and other neighbouring states, he said: “We strive for peace in the region where we face a lot of challenges.”

He said Pakistan wants peaceful resolution of all disputes including that of Kashmir. Mr Aziz said he also discussed Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan in his meeting with Mr Bush.