Representatives from 29 countries gathered in Kabul for the day-long conference, just weeks after NATO agreed at a summit in Chicago to stick to plans to withdraw the bulk of 130,000 foreign combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
Karzai said the help of neighbouring countries and international powers was vital to economic growth and peace in his impoverished country.
He also called on Pakistan directly to support nascent efforts to end the 10-year war in Afghanistan.
"Support from these global powers and our neighbours is very important to Afghanistan and to the continued progress of Afghanistan towards stability and economic development," Karzai told delegates.
"Cooperation of all of us countries in the region, the neighbours, and our allies and NATO that will bring stability not only to Afghanistan but the much-needed relief from terrorism and radicalism and violence."
He also sought to reassure neighbours, Iran in particular, that strategic partnership deals signed by Kabul with several Western powers, particularly the United States, to govern relations beyond 2014, would not damage ties.
But Iran alluded to the Kabul-Washington pact by saying it adds to security concerns among Afghanistan's neighbouring countries.
Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the deal and efforts to establish foreign military bases in Afghanistan ran counter to peace efforts and "could turn this country once again into scene of security rivalries".
Karzai is keen to broker a peace deal with the Taliban, but the militants publicly refuse to talk to his government. Earlier this year, it also announced that it had pulled the plug on nascent contacts with the Americans in Qatar.
The president said the head of the Afghan High Peace Council would soon visit Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, but gave no dates, and urged Islamabad to support peace efforts.
Afghanistan's relations with Pakistan have been clouded by mutual blame for violence plaguing both countries.
Karzai has consistently called on Pakistan to demolish terror sanctuaries in its semi-autonomous tribal belt.
Last week, Panetta also warned that the United States was running out of patience with Pakistan for not eliminating safe-havens of the Pakistan-based Haqqani network and other militants who attack US troops.
Islamabad denies any support for Haqqani activities and says it is doing everything possible to fight terrorism, saying no country has suffered more.
The next talks on Afghanistan will be in Tokyo next month and will focus on ways to ensure social progress - governance, economic prospects, health and education.
COMMENTS (27)
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@Rajendra Kalkhande: It seems like a clear failure of indian foreign policy ! so much for building /constructing and pouring in $$$ on GOI part. The word" Ground reality" comes to mind! Guess who teh joke is on now???
@Raj
You are absolutely right, Pakistan is in for a rude awakening. If Pakistan does not get its act together and play ball with the countries in the region it stands to lose the most by alienating the countries in the region and losing out on trade and commerce that will generate billions in revenue in Central Asia in the very near future. Pakistan will miss the bus if they stay on the same trajectory.
@ Freeman, from a Muslim to another Muslim let me ask you a question: Dose a true Muslim brother does to another Muslim brother what Pakistan is doing to us? You know, when the Great Britain and the USSR invaded Afghanistan and tried to capture Afghanistan were not as painful as you Pakistani Muslim brethren have done to us. We thought of them as unbelievers and non Muslims and we did not feel any pain regarding their invasions but you, my neighbor and my fellow Muslim brother wanted to take my country by your "National Assets" and killed thousands along the way... Is that what a Muslim brother dose to his fellow Muslim brother? About refugees, they are not in Pakistan, they are in their own land (Pashtoonistan and Baluchistan). There is no refugees in Panjab or Sindh ...
@Muhammad Hassan: The question that you have asked is baby stuff.
@Ahmee: Agreed with what you say. We are brothers and sisters living as neighbors. My opinion is that if we both want peace then puppets like Mr Karzai have to take the exit route, be he/she is in Afghanistan or Pakistan. A puppet is moved by outside forces and I am sure everybody knows that minus the puppet and the outside force and Inshallah to bring PEACE to our region will not be a problem. This is not a mind set this is the truth, politics is all about conquering to gather other people's riches by applying the formula of divide and rule. Is it not true that before USA landed in Afghanistan to bring ''peace'' things were better? One example....why is it that no one appreciates and compare the fact that production of heroin had completely vanished from Afghanistan?
@Afghaan: If you want to remember something after everythign is ok in Afghanistan then do nto forget 5 Million Afghani's refugies who we kept in Pakistan for 4 decades. Do nto forget lots of your Afghan's are living their life still in Pkaistna and enjoy it.
Stillw e have 3 Milion Afghan refuges even Pkasitna is not a very rich country but we have big heart and keeping our brothers here for this much longer. Theya re living beter life here in Paksitan than Afghanistan.
Lots of Afghans have bought big houses and living in big towns in Pakistan with their families and ARE VERY RICH.
wE WERE THE ONLY COUNTRY WHO Welcoems Afgnaistan no other country did.
@Rajendra Kalkhande: Indian has more mind set regarding Pakistan. What india has to do with he Afghanistan. Pakistan is the only country who affect mostly when soemthing happens in Afghanistan and have every right to be worried and keep its influence in Afghanistan.
Indian is away from the Afghansitan and therefore they should keep itself away from Afgahnistan's matter and do not take advantage and interfere in Pakistan from Afghanistan. This is the only reason Paksitan sit back and watch happening wrong things on its back.
I think, Pakistan is in for a big surprise. China is slowly moving towards Afghanistan and taking their side. In a few months (in not weeks) we shall start seeing China advising Pakistan more and more before coming out in the open. China also knows that the window of opportunity in Afghanistan shall close for it if it keeps siding with Pakistan. Ultimately, India, China and USA shall start working with Afghanistan. Once this starts, Pakistan shall loose Baluchistan. The only thing that is holding now is the Iran wild card. Iran can change its mind, once it comes to a determination that Chabahar Port can yield it more economic benefits than its confrontation with Israel or pursuit of nuclear technology. The agreement signed by Iran and Afghanistan in May allowing Afghanistan to use the Chabahar Port for Afghan trade is a move in this direction. All countries,Afghanistan, USA, India, China and Iran wants to benefit from trade. With the convergence of interests of Sunni, Shia, Christian, Hindu and Atheist countries, religion will become a non-issue in this block.
@Asma, if you can't back up you arguments, why post at all?
@Asma
We are the responsible of our problems; this mindset is the problem that America/Israel/Jewish lobby is behind everything wrong that happens around us...Why do not we stop it? Why don't we withstand against it? Why we tend to be pawns? Please ponder on it...Peace
@Zalmai
I am a minority in my country in every possible context of the word but my country in no terms lack positive intent towards goodness, things shall inshALLAH turn good provided we (Pakistanis and Afghanis) keep our intent noble and our hearts open. I cannot be a representative of everyone who is blogging here :)
Lastly...I lived 10 years of my life in Baluchistan and recently i lived two years in Afghanistan being a telecom consultant, i know and i have seen the hatred, the Indian element, the consulates and people who work against Pakistan with in Afghanistan with the government backing so please try not to deny this. If you have doubts please visit few of the consulates bordering Pakistan and ask yourself why they are there in the first place and see for yourself the anti Pakistan elements actively functional there.
The point is both parties should do their part and work together with intent rather than pointing at each other...
About Mr. Kirzai...He could not rule even 2 streets around his Presidential capital (I know Kabul Well ), of late his stance has improved but still the real power holders in Afghanistan are other parties.
@Zalmai: Karzai is not to be trusted, that is my personal analysis.
@Muhammad Hassan: You wouldn't understand!!!! It's a waste of my time.
Agree with Mr. Karzai,
@Asma, And please explain how the US is the root of all problems in Afghanistan? Last time I checked, it was the Taliban blowing up markets in Afghanistan as well as in Pakistan.
Do you know that nothing stays the same in this world and one day these days will end and we will overcome all the problems inshaAllah and then our people would find out who did what to us... (D o whatever you want and can to us Pakistan, as I said these days WILL pass and the table will turn!) :)
@Ahmee
Truth and reconciliation is the first step in rebuilding broken relationships. Too bad sane voices like yours are in the minority in Pakistan. Just look at this thread and you will see how many Pakistanis outnumber you with their belligerent attitudes, denial and outdated views.
mr karzai try to stop terrorists crossing into Pakistan, and support Pak to end series of terror strike inside Pakistan. Pakistan is worried about its own security not yours.
"Karzai has consistently called on Pakistan to demolish terror sanctuaries in its semi-autonomous tribal belt."
Sir, why don't you do your part of the cleaning first before asking Pakistan to do the same. Demolish all the terrorist sanctuaries of TTP and BLA in Afghanistan and kill or handover their terrorists to Pakistan.
Mr Karzai, for once face the reality and speak the truth because "ONE DAY" you will be standing in the court of the Ultimate Power, that is Allah!!
Is not United States of America the root of all the problems in your country???? Ask them to go or if they are sincere to help Afghanistan in the "real sense". Ironically your American "friends" target the innocent and poor Afghanis from air and land!!
Leave Pakistan alone!
Mr Karzai is naive. He does not seem to or does not want to understand Pakistani mind set. Pakistani definition of peace is not the same as Afghanistan's.
We`ll help only if he hands over the power to afghan taliban.
The day Afghan War ends you will run back to US, dont try to make the whole world fool and enjoy your NATO sponsored benefits.
@Concerned Afghani : He is as pure Afghan as any other Afghan. Grow up dude !
Mr. karzai, please leave our land and go back to US. Thanks.
Why the mayor of Kabul cannot ask US to leave.