Clinton and Miliband upbeat after meeting

The new US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton affirmed her commitment to the "special" relationship between America and Britain today as she met with Foreign Secretary David Miliband.

Speaking after the pair held talks in Washington, the first high-level face-to-face contact between the Government and the Obama administration, she said it "stands the test of time".

"It is often said the United States and Britain have enjoyed a special relationship. It is certainly special in my mind and one that has proven very productive," she told reporters.

"Whoever is in the White House, whichever party in our country, this relationship really stands the test of tome and I look forward to working with the Foreign Secretary."

Mrs Clinton said the two countries "share fundamental values and important fundamental objectives" on issues such as terrorism, the economic downturn, the Middle East peace process, world poverty, disease and climate change - all of which were discussed at the meeting.

She also paid tribute to the "sacrifice and commitment of troops" in Afghanistan.

There are growing expectations that Mr Obama may call on Britain to deploy more troops to Afghanistan as the US seeks to make more decisive gains against the Taliban.

"We are going to be working closely together in the weeks and months ahead, along with our other Nato allies, to enhance our support for the people of Afghanistan," Mrs Clinton said.

Mr Miliband said the talks had been "detailed, substantive, friendly and also I think focused on results".

Both nations wanted to "renew and refresh the special relationship", he said.

Mr Miliband described the new US stance towards Iran - offering to welcome it into the international community if it recognised its responsibilities - as a "very important message".

He said he had also briefed Mrs Clinton on the forthcoming G20 conference that is to be chaired by Gordon Brown in London in April, adding: "We look forward to very strong American commitment and representation there."

The Foreign Secretary said European leaders were aware "we all have to work better" to improve the international community's work.

"We have heard what you and the Obama administration have said about your commitment to work with allies," he said.

"But we also know that allies have to step up to build a strong working relationship."

He also paid a personal tribute to Mrs Clinton, saying she was held in "admiration and respect" in the UK.

"For many years you've not just been an ambassador of America, you've been an ambassador for America and everything good that it stands for in the world," he went on.

They would be working "very, very closely" on the countries' "shared aspirations", he added.

Liberal Democrat MP Sir Menzies Campbell warned against Britain getting carried away with the "special relationship".

"It is essential that the UK keeps its feet on the ground about the so-called special relationship," he said.

"We do have a great deal in common but US foreign policy will always reflect US values and US interests.

"This is particularly true in relation to Israel and the Middle East. We should know how effective the relationship is by the extent to which Whitehall is able to influence the White House."