'So I think in the first six months of the Obama Administration, obviously, not only is the Secretary and the President focused on these, but you have, through Richard Holbrooke and others within the State Department, intensive focus on the challenge in South Asia.'

'And we recognize that it is ultimately greater integration among these countries, working on common challenges, regional challenges, finding new structures to be able to expand this cooperation,' Crowley said.

'That will be how the region ultimately overcomes the challenges that it's facing. And obviously, the United States stands ready to assist in any way we can,' he said.

Later at the State Department, spokesman Robert Wood said Holbrooke did not accompany Clinton on the trip to India as he was still preparing for his visit and Clinton was going to India alone.

Holbrooke 'is very focused on Pakistan and Afghanistan,' Wood said. So he 'is preparing for his visit. He's got a lot of challenging work to do. And he felt that being back here and preparing for this visit was the best thing to do.'

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)