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US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday urged India to assume more of a leadership role in Asia, adding the country must be more assertive. She said New Delhi should play the role of an American ally in regional forums like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit planned for later this year. India can also help boost trade ties in the restive South Asia, which will bring peace and prosperity to India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Clinton added. Her support for India reflects Washington’s policy to promote the country as a possible counter-balance to China’s increasing assertiveness in Asia.
