Obama adds diplomatic dynamite By Jim Lobe

Holbrooke, who made little secret of his hopes of serving as secretary of state if Clinton had won the presidency, had long been rumored as the most likely candidate for the Afghanistan-Pakistan portfolio, although, when plans to create the post first surfaced they explicitly included covering India as part of its scope.

Over the past year, a consensus among both military and civilian regional experts has developed that, to gain Islamabad's full cooperation in the battle against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, its army will have to be reassured about Delhi's intentions. The two countries will need to build greater confidence between them, a task that has been made more challenging in the wake of the terrorist attack on Mumbai in November.

Holbrooke, whose aggressive diplomatic methods are legendary, reportedly agrees that India's engagement is indispensable.

After vociferous objections by Indian officials concerned that they would come under US pressure to compromise on Kashmir, among other issues, Obama's advisers changed the portfolio to "Afghanistan/Pakistan", but few doubt that Holbrooke will be making frequent trips to Delhi and other regional capitals.