For the past few days, the US media has noted that Hillary's international profile as Obama's top diplomat has been lower than her predecessors since she took over, contrary to what one expected she might dominate the international scene with her background. Several media commentators like Tina Brown have described Hillary as the “invisible woman in the State.” Washington Post columnist Jim Hoagland said Obama's top advisers and not Hillary were crafting his foreign policy. Wall Street Journal has recently come out with an article about Hillary's attempts to increase her profile.

Doubts are also being raised about Hillary's influence on the US foreign policy as president Obama himself is taking on more diplomatic responsibilities. This has led to some foreign policy experts wonder what happened to the dream alliance much touted when she took over. Is it possible that Hillary has been overshadowed by many of Obama's handpicked men? The Vice President Joe Biden is taking an active role in foreign affairs by his active involvement in Iraq, Moscow and Middle East. Obama has appointed Richard Holbrook as special envoy for Afghanistan / Pakistan. Dennis Ross is the US pointsman for Iran. George Mitchell is the special envoy on Arab Israeli peace process. More over diplomacy in Iraq and Afghanistan is handled solely by the Pentagon. There is also a perception that the role of the State Department is being usurped by the high profile National Security Council. How much Hillary has a say in major national security issues?

The immediate cause for the media noting about her low profile is that Hillary had been house-bound after she fell down and broke her elbow last month at the White House basement. Hillary merely retorted recently to the media queries that “I broke my elbow and not my larynx.” Fox news asked her whether it was her broken elbow or some sinister forces at work which attempted to sideline her. George Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton White House aide, who is currently with the ABC bluntly asked her how she fits in the new administration when there are many other high profile personalities in Obama team. Hillary's cryptic reply was that “Well, my role is as the chief diplomat for the United States of America.” Even the 'Foreign Policy' website took note of the fact that Obama had visited several countries without her. Since breaking her elbow last month, Hillary has missed the G 8 meeting, another on European security in Greece and a US - Russia summit with Obama in Moscow. Hillary's image builders are working hard to raise her profile. The first was a major foreign policy speech at the Council on Foreign relations. The second was her much publicized India - Bangkok trip. More media interviews and foreign trips are being planned.

If she minds being seen as Obama's shadow, she hasn't shown it. First of all she has not overstepped herself on any issue. On the contrary, she is doing a tight rope walk between showing her loyalty to Obama and imposing herself as the top diplomat.

Secondly, her aides claim that Hillary might have chosen to study her role first before making herself more visible. This was exactly what she did when she first became a Senator. By all accounts, relations between the White House and the State department are quite harmonious so far. Some Foreign policy veterans say Hillary is probably careful not to overstep herself and she understands her role as Obama's top diplomat.

Thirdly, to her credit Hillary hasn't made mistakes so far or got into any controversy. She had not overstepped her limit despite her own views on certain issues like Israel and Iran which she articulated during her presidential campaign. Her aides claim that she was avoiding the Sunday morning TV shows even when the White House press office asked her. She meets the President at least once a week in the Oval office, breakfasts regularly with vice president Joe Biden, attends monthly meetings with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and participates in other important meetings at the White House. The overall effect of Hillary's efforts has been to bolster her reputation for being smart, effective, and a team player.

As the White House Press secretary rejecting these rumors put it succinctly “I think the Secretary of State is somebody who the president relies on greatly ... The notion that there's some rift or disagreement is nothing more than silly Washington games.” Hillary is certainly on the road to a higher profile as she has become visible since her trip to India and Bangkok. Her Indian trip is touted as a great success despite differences in some areas like the climate change. Last week She has given a long interview on the NBC's meet the press articulating foreign policy issues. She has her own strategy in defining her role and talks of “soft power partnership”. She will have a larger role in the forthcoming US- China strategic and economic dialogue as the US wants to engage China. The first trip Hillary undertook after becoming the Secretary of State was to China. All these go to show that it is too soon to judge whether Hillary's role as the Secretary of State is diminishing. (IPA Service)