Rice may come calling in November

US Secretary Of State Condoleeza Rice is likely to visit New Delhi between November 18 and 19 to attend a conference of the foreign ministers of 22 donor countries to Afghanistan.

Top sources in the ministry of external affairs said Rice's visit was "99 per cent on."

"We have received a favourable response to the invitation and we expect the US secretary of state in New Delhi in November," said a source in the ministry. This will be the second such conference. The first was held in Kabul in December 2005.

Sources in the external affairs ministry said the focus of the conference would be a review of the aid being given to Afghanistan.

Of special concern for the Indian government will be re-emergence of the Taliban in Pashtun areas, posing a threat to the nearly 3,000 Indian workers in that country. India has pledged $650 million aid to Afghanistan, of which it has already disbursed $200 million. The areas where India has been providing aid and expertise include roads, schools and infrastructure.

"This time we expect to focus more on electricity requirements, border roads and trade," said a source in the ministry.