Hillary's first job will be to tackle India

Hillary Clinton today became the most powerful woman in the US government when she was appointed Secretary of State.

President-elect Barack Obama introduced his former Democratic election rival as part of his national security team.

Her first priority will be to get up to speed on the crisis in India where terrorists killed more than 170 people with a co-ordinated assault on the city of Mumbai.

Mrs Clinton will have frequent briefings from Condoleezza Rice, the woman she will replace as the top foreign diplomat in the US government. Ms Rice has been dispatched to India by President Bush in what is likely to be his last foreign policy decision before he steps down from power on 20 January.

There is also talk in Washington that Mrs Clinton's husband, former president Bill , could be made a special envoy to try and mediate between India and Pakistan over the disputed Kashmir region.

Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton shared the stage today as the president-elect unveiled his national security team in Chicago. Defence Secretary Robert Gates will remain in his role as Pentagon chief and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano will become head of Homeland Security.