New Delhi, Sept 4 (ZEENEWS.COM) Foreign ministers of 18 countries, including those of the US and Pakistan, will assemble here in November for a conference on Afghanistan, providing an opportunity for bilateral talks as well.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai will also be here to inaugurate the two-day foreign ministers' conference on November 18 on economic reconstruction in the war-ravaged country.

The second such conclave will be attended by foreign ministers of 18 countries neighbouring Afghanistan and donor nations like the US, Britain and Russia. Heads of 10 multi-lateral organisations like the UN, UNDP, World Bank, IMF, European Commission and ADB would also be invited for the meet.

The occasion will provide a chance for bilateral discussions with these countries. Significant among these will be the talks US Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice and Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri will have with their Indian counterpart.

The conference offers an exceptional opportunity for the region to work together to promote security and development in Afghanistan.

The focus of the conclave is expected to be promotion of specific forms of economic cooperation in areas of critical concern, including electricity, border management, trade promotion and investment.

The first such conference was held in Kabul in December last year and it was attended by 11 countries.