Clinton in Japan on Asian tour, Was India on itinerary?

Tokyo/Washington, Feb 16 (PTI) India was to have been
covered by Hillary Clinton as a "key stop" on her maiden
overseas trip as the Secretary of State, a report said, as the
US' top diplomat arrived in Tokyo on the first leg of her
four-nation Asian tour that will also take her to China.

A prestigious American publication on diplomatic affairs
"The Foreign Policy" in an article posted on its website said
"Clinton's inaugural Asia trip, and her visits to the
particular countries, were recommended to her during the
transition by Secretary Rice's outgoing Policy Planning
Staff."

"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 was no independent confirmation
of the news report.

Clinton -- who will also visit Indonesia, South Korea and
China -- during the eight-day Asian tour broke with a
decades-old tradition of new US secretaries of state going
first to Europe or the Middle East after assuming office.

Both Clinton and President Barack Obama have spoken of
building on the improved relationship with India and sent
signals it is a natural ally and a key player in the region.

Speaking to reporters accompanying her before arriving in
the Japanese capital, Clinton warned North Korea that it needs
to live up to its commitments to dismantle its nuclear
programmes.

Before leaving on her Asian tour, Clinton pledged to
strengthen the US ties with Asia.

The US media has praised Clinton's initiative to start
her journey as America's top diplomat from Asia, a certain
break from the past when the main focus of the new Obama
administration used to be across the Atlantic in Europe.

"Hillary Clinton deserves kudos for making Asia her first
trip as Secretary of State," wrote 'Foreign Policy'.

"Clinton's inaugural trip to Asia is a timely reminder of
this fact, and an important signal that the Obama
administration is committed to sustaining US leadership in
this critical region, building on the good work of the Bush
administration," said the prestigious US publication on
international relations and diplomacy.

Before leaving on this trip, Clinton herself said during
on a conference with reporters: "I think it's important to
signal that we intend to develop broader and deeper
relationships not only with the countries I'll be visiting,
but with other nations throughout Asia and the Pacific."

Excited about her first overseas trip as America's top
diplomat, she said the trip is to prepare Americans and Asians
for a shared future.

On her final stop, in China, Clinton's agenda is expected
to encompass the full sweep of the economic crisis, global
warming, clean energy, North Korea and health issues. PTI LKJ
RAI