MEA Denies Role as Taliban Minister Bars Women Journalists in Delhi

A diplomatic visit by Afghanistan's acting Taliban Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to India has triggered a political and gender rights controversy. Women journalists were reportedly barred from attending a press conference he addressed in New Delhi on Thursday, drawing strong reactions from political leaders.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that the Indian government had no role in the press interaction held by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister in Delhi.

"MEA had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Delhi," the ministry stated.

Former union minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram condemned the incident, calling it "shocking." He urged male journalists to walk out in solidarity with their female colleagues.

"I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr. Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan," Chidambaram posted on X.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra also slammed the incident, questioning how External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar allowed such a discriminatory event on Indian soil.

"How dare our government allow Taliban foreign minister Amir Muttaqi to exclude women journalists and hold a male-only news conference on Indian soil?" she wrote.

Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram accused the Modi government and EAM S. Jaishankar of allowing gender-based exclusion under the guise of diplomacy.

"It's very disappointing to note the conduct of the Ministry of External Affairs and S. Jaishankar," he remarked.

First Taliban Visit Since 2021

This marks the first high-level Taliban delegation to India since the group seized power in August 2021. During his week-long visit (Oct 9-16), Muttaqi met EAM S. Jaishankar to discuss strengthening India-Afghanistan relations and cooperation in healthcare projects.

India-Afghanistan Relations Amid Gender Rights Concerns

On his first day, Amir Khan Muttaqi and Jaishankar discussed bilateral cooperation and new initiatives in healthcare. However, the exclusion of women journalists overshadowed these discussions, sparking debates about India's stance on gender equality and its diplomatic engagement with the Taliban-led government.