The new Indian government, she said, was committed 'to look for ways that India can play a role regionally and globally on the economic issues and other matters that confront us'.

At home it 'is very committed to pursuing a very activist domestic agenda, particularly around poverty and the conditions of people in rural India, as well as its emphasis on development and job creation', she said.

'So I'm very excited,' said Clinton, noting: 'I was thrilled to go to India for the first time as First Lady and to begin a process that has led us to this point with the contributions of many along the way that really demonstrates that the world's largest democracy and oldest democracy have so much more in common than perhaps was first recognised.'

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