New Delhi, Oct 23: India will host next month a
crucial conference of countries contributing to reconstruction
and development of Afghanistan.
Foreign ministers of 18 countries, including those of the
US, UK, France, Pakistan and Iran, are expected to attend the
two-day conference from November 18 that will be inaugurated
by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
The invitees include foreign ministers of countries of
the region besides those contributing to the economic
reconstruction and development of the war-ravaged country.
Heads of 10 multi-lateral organisations like the UN,
UNDP, World Bank, IMF, European Commission and ADB are also
expected to attend the meet.
In this connection, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon
today held confabulations with envoys of the invitee countries
to discuss preparations for the conclave.
India attaches immense significance to the conference and
expects foreign ministers of the invitee countries to attend
it to lend it high profile.
The conference will primarily discuss efforts aimed at
pushing development of Afghanistan. In this regard, steps to
increase trade will be on the agenda.
Specific issues to be deliberated upon will be energy
cooperation with Afghanistan involving laying of oil and gas
pipelines, sources said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, October 23, 2006, 00:00