India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically denied any responsibility for the exclusion of women journalists from a recent press conference held by Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in New Delhi. In a formal statement, the MEA asserted that the government “had no role or involvement” in the press gathering that took place on Friday. The press conference, held at the Afghan Embassy subsequent to Muttaqi’s meetings with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, ignited a firestorm of criticism due to the conspicuous absence of female reporters. This visit was particularly significant as it represented the first by a Taliban minister since the group’s ascendance to power in Afghanistan in 2021. While the bilateral discussions focused on key areas like trade, humanitarian aid, and security, the press event’s discriminatory practice drew widespread attention. Reports suggest that the Taliban delegation exclusively controlled media invitations, disregarding calls for a more inclusive approach, even if India had offered to facilitate wider participation. Addressing questions about the status of Afghan women, Muttaqi reportedly invoked the notion of national customs and laws, while also asserting progress in Afghanistan’s security landscape. The incident reignites international scrutiny of the Taliban’s deeply concerning gender policies, which have led to severe restrictions on women’s education and work since August 2021, drawing strong rebukes from the United Nations.
