Just before leaving New York, Hillary Clinton asked me: ?So, should I bring something Indian to wear in Delhi?? I told her, just relax and bring your western suits. That?s my friend, Hillary for you. While she?s here, she?d like to be Indian to the core. I?m still waiting for that wish list from her, the things that she wants to do in New Delhi. (No, I?m not spilling the beans about her plans, as there are 11 secret service men around). But I?m sure, she?d like to shop for traditional Indian handicrafts, she has a fetish for that... Whenever I?ve gifted her something Indian, she?s always been ecstatic. I remember once I gave Nehru jackets to Bill, he loved them and he always wears them to Indian dinners in New York.

But Hillary has a bigger fetish. She loves Indian food. I know she?ll only have Indian meals while she?s here. Her favourite dishes are chicken keema, saag paneer, reshmi kebabs and rasmalai ... Politically, she?s the women to watch out for. The future belongs to her. Political analysts in US, are already predicting her as the next president, when US goes to elections in 2009. In fact, the New York Metro has just done a cover story on why Hillary would be the next president. Isn?t it time, US had a women president? If Britain had Margaret Thatcher, India had Indira Gandhi, then US deserves Hillary. She exudes such power ....

I think her visit to New Delhi is rather significant. She?s not coming here as Mrs Clinton. This is an ideal opportunity for her to meet Indian leaders. She?s meeting PM Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi... It?s a more focused visit than her earlier ones with Bill and Chelsea. But I?m also going to ensure she gets time to relax as her schedule in New York is always so hectic. Let me tell you, it?s a pleasure to have Hillary in India. It took me a year, to get her here. The Clintons have been great friends. They?re loyalists. We?ve been together through thick and thin. I met the Clintons in 1991 at a fundraiser ; we hit-off instantly. As time passed, we came closer. They come to our hotels and we meet each other at dinners. Bill just loves his tandoori chicken and curry. When you go to Clinton?s house for dinner, Hillary?s a perfect host. Her sense of humour always has you in splits. During this trip, I?m sure, Hillary will see how India?s changed. I hope she makes new friends... We leave on Saturday night in her private jet, which will land in the Clinton home on Chelsea?s birthday... I?m sure Hillary will have tales to tell from India. And memories, which read: With love, from India.?

<I>As told to </I>Nona Walia

<I>Source: Times of India</I>