An officer of the uniform division of the Secret Service holds onto his hat as Marine One with President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush aboard departs from the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, in Washington. Mr. Bush is traveling to South Asia to visit India and Pakistan, long-time nuclear rivals that have been taking steps to ease cross-border tensions.
President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush board Air Force One beginning their five-day trip to India and Pakistan at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 outside Washington. Mr. Bush's is trip to South Asia is designed to cement two crucial U.S. alliances and possibly hammer out a landmark agreement to share civilian nuclear technology with India.
Indian Muslim protesters chant slogans against U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to India, in Bombay, India, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006. Indian communist and Islamic leaders said Tuesday they plan to greet Mr. Bush with protests against American policy in Afghanistan and the Middle East when the leader arrives this week.
Surprise Visit
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai review the honor guard at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Bush made a surprise visit to Afghanistan ahead of his trip to India and Pakistan.
U.S. President Bush, left, meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Mr. Bush said he remains confident Osama bin Laden "will be brought to justice" despite a so-far futile five-year hunt.
U.S. first lady Laura Bush meets with Afghan first lady Zinat Karzai at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006.
U.S. President George W. Bush, left and Afghan President Hamid Karzai get ready to cut a ribbon to officially open the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006. At rear is U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Bush made a surprise visit to Afghanistan ahead of his trip to India and Pakistan.
U.S. President George W. Bush greets Afghanistanis after officially opening the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006. It was the first presidential visit to Afghanistan since the U.S. routed the Taliban and began a search for Osama bin Laden in the region.
A U.S. Secret Service agent with an assault rifle stands guard as President George W. Bush, rear left, poses with U.S. Embassy personnel after he officially opened the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006.
New Delhi, India
U.S. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush arrive at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Bush made a surprise visit to Afghanistan ahead of his trip to India and Pakistan.
President George W. Bush, center, poses with U.S. troops at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Bush expressed solidarity with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's U.S.-backed government in a surprise visit of just over four hours at the onset of a South Asia trip.
President George W. Bush, left, rallies U.S. troops at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan Wednesday, March 1, 2006. In a pep talk to about 500 soldiers in a huge recreational tent, Mr. Bush expressed resolve at the U.S. mission here. "I assure you this government of yours will not blink, we will not yield. ...The United States doesn't cut and run," Bush said to enthusiastic cheers and applause.
President Bush, center, waves after speaking to U.S. and coalition troops at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, Wednesday, March 1, 2006. There are about 19,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a number Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has said would be reduced to about 16,000 by summer.
On To India
President George W. Bush, left, and first lady Laura Bush, second left, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, right, and his wife Gurcharan Kaur look on after Bush's arrival in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 1, 2006. U.S. Mr. Bush arrived in India as talks on a landmark U.S.-Indian nuclear pact were down to the wire and tens of thousands of Indians rallied in New Delhi to protest his visit.
U.S. President George W. Bush, left, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after Bush's arrival in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Bush's trip to India is expected to focus on talks regarding a landmark U.S.-Indian nuclear pact.
Police try to stop the activists of Anti-Imperialist Forum protesting against U.S. President George W. Bush, near the American Consulate in Calcutta, India, Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Mr. Bush arrived in India as talks on a landmark U.S.-Indian nuclear pact were down to the wire and tens of thousands of Indians rallied in New Delhi and other parts of India to protest his visit.
Indian protesters stage a rally against U.S. President George W. Bush in New Delhi Wednesday, March 1, 2006. After a surprise stop in Afghanistan, Mr. Bush arrived in India Wednesday night to begin his first tour of south Asia.