Geo World

Istanbul conference on Afghanistan begins today

STANBUL: Istanbul conference, an International moot on Afghanistan is beginning today to chart the war-torn nation's future after Western troops depart in 2014 and hand over to Afghan forces. Representatives of 23 countries including 14 regional countries Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenisan, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates will participate. Germany, France and other Western countries with troops deployed in Afghanistan were sending envoys to participate in the conference. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had planned to attend, but canceled her trip due to private engagements Diplomats will campaign for a stable Afghanistan after the planned withdrawal of international combat forces by the end of 2014. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will represent Pakistan in the conference.