Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, faced significant backlash following a press conference in New Delhi where no women journalists were permitted to attend. The incident has amplified international criticism of the Taliban’s regressive gender policies, even as they engage in diplomatic talks on foreign soil.
The press event, held at the Afghan Embassy after Muttaqi’s meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, was intended to cover discussions on bilateral trade, aid, and security. However, observations and media reports confirmed that only male reporters were present, raising immediate alarms about the Taliban’s systematic exclusion of women.
Sources indicated that the Taliban delegation dictated the list of approved journalists, reportedly bypassing suggestions from the Indian side to include women. This decision has drawn strong condemnation, given the ongoing global outcry over the Taliban’s rollback of women’s rights in Afghanistan, a situation frequently highlighted by international bodies like the UN.
Analysts and media professionals have condemned the press conference as a stark and unwelcome demonstration of the Taliban’s pervasive misogyny. The event has prompted questions about the international community’s approach to engaging with regimes that systematically discriminate against women, especially when such actions occur within the diplomatic spaces of other nations.
During the press availability, Minister Muttaqi deflected questions concerning the plight of Afghan women, remarking, “Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles, and there should be respect for them.” He additionally asserted that Afghanistan’s security has improved since August 2021, pointing to a reduction in conflict-related casualties.
The Taliban’s return to power has been marked by severe restrictions on women’s access to education, work, and public life. The UN has previously characterized the situation as widespread and systematic oppression. The presence of discriminatory practices, even at a diplomatic press conference in India, has been called ‘abhorrent’ and a violation of fundamental rights.
Muttaqi’s visit represents a significant diplomatic engagement, being the first by a Taliban minister to India since 2021. While the substantive discussions aimed to foster cooperation, the controversial all-male press conference has unfortunately become a dominant narrative, highlighting persistent global anxieties surrounding the Taliban’s governance and their treatment of women.