Are there differences between Clinton, Obama?

Claiming that differences have emerged between US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State on foreign policy issues, an American magazine on Friday suggested that Hillary Clinton's trip to India and Thailand has been her way to distance herself from the White House.

"The trip to India and Thailand, in one sense, is Clinton's way of literally and figuratively distancing herself from Obama, her way of letting us know she has better policies for dealing with Beijing," wrote Forbes columnists Gordon G Chang.

Author of the book The Coming Collapse of China, Gordon said that during her recent visit to India, Clinton devoted most of her time to relationship-building events.

"Clinton's concept of siding with another large democracy seems much more attractive -- and sustainable," he wrote, adding most important, the US and India share values.

"Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recognised the natural relationship between Washington and New Delhi when he proposed in 2007 that these two nations join Australia and Japan in an 'arc of freedom and prosperity'.

"The idea got nowhere at the time, when the US had hope that China could become a "responsible stakeholder" in the international system, but now it is becoming clear that the Chinese are not able -- or interested -- in assuming such a role," Gordon said.

Noting that by all accounts, her charm, wit and personal diplomacy won friends for the US, he said she left Washington amid reports of intense infighting with a White House intent on marginalizing her role.