The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday distanced itself from a controversial press interaction in New Delhi, where Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addressed the media in an all-male briefing. The exclusion of female journalists provoked immediate backlash from media professionals and political figures.
The event, held on Friday, did not include women reporters, a decision that drew sharp criticism. “Women journalists were not invited to the press conference of Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Unacceptable,” a senior anchor commented on social media.
Journalist Nayanima Basu questioned the government’s role in permitting the discriminatory practice. “Right under the Indian government’s nose, in the heart of the capital city, the Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi holds a press conference, intentionally excluding any female journalists. How can this be allowed? Who approved such an outrageous disregard for representation?” she wrote.
The Ministry of External Affairs swiftly clarified that it had “no role or involvement” in organising the press interaction. The statement came amid growing scrutiny over India’s engagement with the Taliban, following announcements that New Delhi would reopen its embassy in Kabul and upgrade diplomatic ties.
The Taliban has slowly established diplomatic links with several countries, including China and the United Arab Emirates, while Russia became the first nation to recognise the Taliban government in July. Yet, its administration remains largely isolated, largely due to restrictions imposed on women and curtailment of civil liberties.
Opposition leaders criticised the Afghan minister’s conduct, highlighting the affront it posed on Indian soil. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed remarked, “Who are they to dictate terms to our nation, that too, on our own soil, and impose their discriminatory agenda against women?”
Also read: Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi to visit Darul Uloom Deoband
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra suggested a symbolic response from male journalists at the briefing. In a post on X, she asked, “How dare our government allow Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi to exclude women journalists and hold a ‘male-only’ news conference on Indian soil with full protocol? How dare @DrSJaishankar agree to this? And why did our emasculated spineless male journos remain in the room?”
Security personnel at the venue confirmed that female journalists had raised concerns about their exclusion. Women present reportedly approached security to question the discriminatory practice during the event.
However, visuals circulating on social media, shared by credible sources including journalist Barkha Dutt, indicate that Indian female scholars were present during another debate session with Taliban leaders, suggesting that women were not entirely absent from the event the Afghan leader were involved.
The MEA’s clarification spotlights India’s attempt to delineate its role in the event, asserting that the organisation of the press conference was entirely managed by the visiting delegation. Analysts note that the incident illustrates the delicate balance New Delhi must maintain between pursuing diplomatic engagement and upholding democratic, gender-sensitive standards.
Taliban foreign policy has frequently courted international scrutiny. Despite establishing some contacts abroad, its domestic policies remain largely unchanged, particularly regarding women’s participation in public and professional life. The Delhi press meet, attended exclusively by male journalists, has thus become a flashpoint in ongoing discussions about India’s approach to the Taliban.
As the controversy continues, opposition voices and media professionals are calling for greater oversight of foreign delegations visiting India, stressing that diplomatic hospitality should not override principles of equality and representation.
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