Thaindian News

By Arun Kumar
Washington, Oct 15 (IANS) For globetrotter Hillary Clinton, her fondest trip was the one she took as first lady, taking her daughter Chelsea to the Taj Mahal as husband, then president Bill Clinton, transformed US ties with India.

“Oh, the Taj Mahal with Chelsea, yeah, that - I remember it fondly,” Clinton, now Secretary of State, told ABC in an interview in Brussels.

“That was a wonderful trip not only for us personally, but for our country because it really started the ongoing efforts that the Bush Administration and now President Obama have undertaken to strengthen and deepen our relationship with India, a great partner, the world’s largest democracy.”

“And President (Barack) Obama will be going to India next month” to take forward the bilateral relationship, she said projecting the visit as a continuation of the efforts started by then President Clinton in 2000 to bring about a transformation in India US ties after years of suspicion, mistrust and sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests.

Clinton said that when she was her daughter’s age and living in Park Ridge, Illinois, she could never have imagined that she’d be married to a president and then serving her country as secretary of state.

“And here we are, sitting, talking about these important issues in the world. That’s why I love every minute that I get to represent the United States,” she said. “Because I’m a product of how great our country is.”

“And that’s why I care so deeply that we get out there and try to manage and solve the problems that could perhaps narrow the opportunities for own children - and I hope someday, grandchildren - in the future.”

“It’s exhilarating work,” she added.

Clinton also joked about her must-haves when travelling.

“It includes, obviously my makeup,” she said, laughing. Because, you know, when you get as little sleep, and you’re as jetlagged as I am, it’s very hard not to, you know, scare the children in the morning.”

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