India's look-east policy vital: Hillary

Articulating a new thrust towards two specific regions where India and the US could work together, Asia-Pacific region and South and Central Asia, Clinton stressed that “time has come” to realise the dream of this entire region being a prosperous and secure place through more multi-lateral trade.

Stressing “regional concerns have profound global relevance”,  Hillary Clinton during a 40-minute talk to a packed audience at the Anna Centenary Library here, said this was the time to expand economic ties through two-way trade between various countries in the region.

“Let us together create a new Silk Route,” she emphatically extolled to a resounding applause. Pointing to elements of a broader vision as part of India’s ‘Look East Policy’, Hillary Clinton made clear the US interests in exploring the possibility of a “regional architecture” that would enforce international norms, ensure security, particularly maritime security and help combat piracy together.

In this context, she said US President Barrack Obama looked forward to the forthcoming meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the East Asia Summit later this year that would help roll out a “vision for other regional institutions.”

While an India-US-Japan trilateral dialogue will also be opened, Hillary said it will strengthen security in East Asia even as her country desired a strong relationship between India and China.

Dwelling at some length on every important country located in this huge rim, Hillary also said a more pro-active ‘Look East’ policy entailed more responsibilities for India in the region.

For instance, she said India while maintaining strong economic ties with Burma should continue to engage in dialogue with the Burmese government and people like Nobel winning Burmese dissident writer Aung San Su Ki on issues of human rights violations.