India to host next 'Heart of Asia' conference in 2016

India will host the next multilateral meeting on Afghanistan in the last quarter of 2016.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of the senior officials of the participating nations at the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad, Indian delegates said that the gathering was working on a declaration which will call for denial of sanctuaries and safe havens to terrorists in the region.

The senior officials' meeting was part of the 'Istanbul Process' aimed at enhancing cooperation for countering security threats and promoting connectivity in the region.

"The significant development is that India is going to host the next Heart of Asia conference in the last quarter of 2016," officials said.

Giving details of the ongoing deliberations, the officials said the aim is coordinate the efforts of the countries in the region to support Afghanistan in achieving peace and stability.