US President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to India demonstrates the strong and enduring ties between the two largest democracies of the world, the White House said on Friday.The US president and First Lady Melania Trump will lead a 12-member American delegation to Ahmedabad, Agra and New Delhi on February 24 and 25.

"The president is going to India as a demonstration of the strong and enduring ties between our two countries," a senior administration official told reporters less than 48 hours before Trump departs for his maiden presidential trip to India.

"These are ties based on shared democratic traditions,common strategic interests, and enduring bonds between our people. And, inpart, this has been exemplified by the very close relationship between the President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said the official, requesting anonymity.

The visiting American delegation includes Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, Acting Chief of Staff MickMulvaney and National Security Advisor Robert O' Brien.

Trump's daughter Ivanka, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who serve as Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the Presidentrespectively, will also be visiting India.

Senior advisors to the President Stephen Miller, DanScavino, Chief of Staff to the First Lady Lindsay Reynolds, Assistant to thePresident and Special Representative for International Telecommunication Policyand Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff Robert Blair, and White House PressSecretary Stephanie Grisham are the other members of the delegation. UnitedStates Ambassador to India Ken Juster will be travelling with the visiting delegation.

In 2016, energy exports from the US to India grew by 500 percent to nearly USD 7 billion.

During the trip, the two countries will focus on defense and security cooperation to fight terrorism and promote a free and openIndo-Pacific.The US wants an India that is strong with a capable military thatsupports peace, stability, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region,the official said.

"This visit will build upon our many shared values, our strategic and economic interests, and lock in those gains made in the relationship by the administration over the last three years," theofficial said.

According to the White House official, Trump will arrive in Ahmedabad on Monday, where he will deliver remarks at Sardar Patel Stadium withPrime Minister Narendra Modi.