Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has characterized the exclusion of women journalists from a press event in New Delhi as a ‘technical issue.’ He explained that the conference was organized on short notice, leading to a specific, limited list of attendees. Muttaqi emphasized his commitment to ensuring no one’s rights, regardless of gender, are infringed upon.
The initial press conference, which only allowed male reporters, faced sharp criticism from prominent media organizations in India, including the Editors Guild and the Indian Women’s Press Corps. In response to the outcry, Muttaqi’s delegation organized a subsequent press conference that explicitly welcomed all media personnel, including women journalists, labeling it an ‘inclusive’ event.
Muttaqi also provided an update on education in Afghanistan, reporting that approximately 10 million students, including 2.8 million girls, are attending schools and religious institutions. He noted that educational opportunities exist up to graduation level in seminaries and suggested that current limitations in some areas are not indicative of a fundamental opposition to education. The Afghan minister’s visit to India aimed to bolster bilateral ties, focusing on trade, aid, and security cooperation with Minister S Jaishankar. The Indian government has explicitly stated it had no part in organizing the first press conference.