Washington: US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton's maiden visit to India has set Indo-US relations on a
"new course" for the 21st century, US media said on Tuesday,
terming the strategic dialogue as a "symbolic acknowledgment"
of New Delhi's growing global stature.
Clinton's just-concluded trip has strengthened and
deepened strategic bilateral ties, the mainstream American
media commented on the outcome of the high-profile visit.
"The US generally reserves strategic dialogues for major
countries like China, so this is a symbolic acknowledgment of
India's rising role in the world," said The New York Times in
its report which also appeared prominently in another
prominent US daily The Boston Globe.
The Washington Post said that the Obama administration
had through Clinton's visit made it clear that it wants to
"further deepen ties" with India.
"Clinton is an Indiaphile, clearly fascinated by the
country, its people and its food. Speaking to about 700
students at Delhi University, she said it would be a mistake
to allow stereotypes portrayed in popular culture to influence
relations between the two countries," it said.
In a front page posting, the Christian Science Monitor
said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be the first world
leader to be accorded a State Visit in November.
This "demonstrates" Obama administration's designation
of India as a crucial partner for the US in the 21st century.
"The importance bestowed on Singh may be fitting, some
regional experts say, given India's booming economy, its
example as a stable multi-ethnic society, and its status as
the world's largest democracy," wrote The Christian Science
Monitor.
"But it should not surprise the Obama administration if
the attention to India and Singh causes problems with another
crucial US partner in the region: Pakistan," it said.
The Chicago Tribune, published from Chicago, using a
Associated Press news report from New Delhi gave the headline
"Clinton, with Indian counterpart, sets relations on new
course for 21st century".
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 23:10