It's time to lead, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told India today,urging Delhi to do more to integrate economically with neighbours Afghanistan and Pakistan and to take a more assertive role across the Asia-Pacific,in the face of an increasing Chinese role. In what is being seen as a major address outlining Washingtons vision for the US-India partnership,Clinton challenged India to expand its traditional sphere of interest from South Asia to neighbouring regions. New Delhi should exercise political influence to match its fast-growing economic muscle. This is not a time when any of us can afford to look inward at the expense of looking outward. This is a time to seize the opportunities of the 21st century and it is a time to lead, she said. Saying that she is an admirer of India,Clinton said: We are betting on Indias future. that the opening of Indias markets to the world will produce a more prosperous India and South Asia. We are betting that Indias vibrant pluralistic society will inspire others to follow a similar path of tolerance. We are making this bet not out of blind faith but because we have watched your progress with great admiration. She was speaking to a select audience at the Anna Centenary Library here on Wednesday during her first visit to the state. While admitting differences of opinion between the two countries,she said the bond between India and the US far outweighed such differences. Using the opportunity to urge India to assume bigger roles and responsibilities in South Asia and elsewhere,she said India should continue to engage the government of Myanmar to secure release of political prisoners,and also join hands with the US in dealing with complicated issues in the Middle East and North Africa. We understand that much of the history of the 21st century will be written in Asia.and that much of the future of Asia will be shaped by decisions not just by the Indian government but by governments across India. and by the 1.3 billion people who live in this country, she said. Assuring that the Obama administrations decision to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan did not mean it was abandoning it,Clinton said the US would continue to work with the Army,police and the public. While acknowledging Pakistans central role and legitimate interest in Afghanistan,she warned Pakistan against allowing its soil to be used for activities against India or Afghanistan,or for the regrouping of the al Qaeda. As expected,Clinton also mentioned the situation in Sri Lanka. Every Sri Lanka deserves same hope and opportunity, she said to applause from the gathering. The multi-cultural democracy of India should be a model for Sri Lanka,she added. The issue also figured in her discussions with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa later in the day. Clinton told Jaya that the US government was looking at innovative and creative ideas in breaking this impasse and enabling the Sri Lankan Tamils in camps to get back to their own homes, a state government release issued after the 45-minute meeting between the two quoted her as saying. with PTI
