Obama's top foreign policy adviser, who hit hard at her then rival's inexperience and lack of toughness on the campaign trail, said she believed her policy differences with Obama during their rival presidential nomination campaigns were a question of 'degree, not kind.'

'We have a world view that says America should be leading by example. You know, it's not the - I think my husband said it, actually -it's not the example of our power, but the power of our example that we want to convey.'

Clinton said she was 'personally very surprised' when Obama asked her to serve as secretary of state, but described the post as 'a rewarding professional and personal experience.'

Clinton said there is no tension between the State Department and White House, despite Obama's interest in foreign policy. 'We are the implementers, there is no doubt about that. The White House cannot implement policy.'

'I'm not exactly a shrinking violet,' she added. 'And my opinions are not only sought, but listened to. And I appreciate that very much.

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger had told her that he was very surprised. 'It was the first administration he could remember where, if he talked to me and then he talked to somebody in the White House, he got the same story. And it's because we really try to hash out problems in private.'

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