The United States State Department planners had included India among the countries to be visited by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton [Images] 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 web site said the eight-day Asia trip was recommended by her predecessor Condoleezza Rice [Images] during the transition.

Clinton left on Sunday on her maiden Asia trip as the top US diplomat for Japan [Images], Indonesia, South Korea and China.

'Clinton's inaugural Asia trips, 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 the State Department's policy planners also included India as a key stop in their proposed itinerary, and the absence of a visit to New Delhi [Images] 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.

It is well known that Clintons have special affection for India. Both she and President Barack Obama [Images] have said 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.

Before leaving on her Asia tour, Clinton pledged to strengthen US ties with the Asia. The US media praised Clinton's initiative to start her journey as America's top diplomat from Asia, a certain break from the past when the main focus of the new Obama administration used to be in Europe. 

'Hillary Clinton deserves kudos for making Asia her first trip as the secretary of state,' wrote Foreign Policy.

'Clinton's inaugural trip to Asia is a timely reminder of this fact, and an important signal that the Obama administration is committed to sustain US leadership in this critical region, building on the good work of the Bush administration,' said the US publication on international relations and diplomacy.

Before leaving on this trip, Clinton herself said during on a conference with media persons, 'I think it's important to signal that we intend to develop broader and deeper relationships not only with the countries I'll be visiting, but with other nations throughout Asia and the Pacific.'

Excited about her first overseas trip as America's top diplomat, she said the trip is to prepare Americans and Asians for a shared future. On her final stop, in China, Clinton's agenda is expected to encompass the full sweep of the economic crisis, global warming, clean energy, North Korea and health issues.