Clinton had included India in her first overseas trip:report

Washington, Feb 16 (PTI) State Department planners had
included India among the countries to be visited by Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton in her maiden trip to Asia, a
prestigious American publication on foreign policy and
diplomacy has reported.

The Foreign Policy in an article posted on its website
said the eight-day Asia trip was recommended by her
predecessor Condoleezza Rice during the transition.

Clinton left Sunday on her maiden Asia trip as top US
diplomat for Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China.

"Clinton's inaugural Asia trip, and her visits to
these particular countries, were recommended to her during the
transition by Secretary Rice's outgoing Policy Planning
Staff," the article said.

"But State's policy planners also included India as a
key stop in their proposed itinerary, and the absence of a
visit to New Delhi is the latest in an array of troubling
signals about the new administration's priorities on the
subcontinent," it said.

There could not be an independent confirmation of the
news report published on website of Foreign Policy magazine.

It is well known that Clintons have special affection
for India. Both she and President Barack Obama have said that
they want to build on the improved relationship with India
during the Bush Administration. India for them is a natural
ally and a key player in the region.