Clinton had included India in her first overseas trip: Report

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.