US' relationship with India is good news: Hillary

America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has given the first glimpse of where India stands in the Obama administration's worldview.

In her first policy speech on India after assuming office, the US Secretary of State said President Obama is deeply committed to building stronger ties with India -- one of the few nations the Obama administration sees as a global partner.

"In a world of depressing headlines, the US relationship with India is good news and I think it is going to get even better. We see India as one of a few key partners worldwide who will help us shape the 21st century -- the forces of positive change versus those of destruction," said Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State.

Experts say the US was waiting to see who would form the new government in New Delhi before outlining its foreign policy plans for India.

The victory of Prime Minister Singh, an advocate of free markets and closer US ties, has emboldened the Obama Administration's efforts to partner with India.

"I hope that an expanded partnership between the US and India will be one of the signature accomplishments of both new governments in both countries, and I do plan to make that a personal priority," said Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State.

Steering clear of mentioning Kashmir... Clinton listed climate change, Afghanistan and science as the key areas for new US-India cooperation.

The Secretary of State also clarified that the Obama administration is fully committed to implement the civil nuclear pact signed by the previous Bush administration.

In the past few months, there has been speculation that the Obama administration --preoccupied with high-profile diplomacy with China and stabilizing Pakistan.... has been ignoring India.

Secretary Clinton's effusive reaffirmation of the Obama Administration's commitment in strengthening Indo-US ties on Thursday, shows that the US realises that despite Pakistan's importance in the war on terror, it is the relationship with India that needs to be the long-term strategic priority.