The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday issued a clarification denying any role in a press interaction held by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi. The event triggered sharp criticism after reports emerged that women journalists were excluded from attending.
The press conference took place at the Afghan Embassy following bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Afghan counterpart. Only male reporters and embassy officials were present, while several women journalists said they were either not invited or were denied entry. The MEA clarified that the entire event had been organised by the Afghan side and that India had no involvement in managing invitations or access.
According to the official MEA statement, “MEA had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by the Afghan Foreign Minister in Delhi.” The ministry added that there was no joint press briefing and that the Afghan Embassy had independently arranged the event within its premises.
The decision to exclude women journalists provoked outrage across political and journalistic circles. Opposition leaders demanded that the government clarify its stance on gender equality and press freedom. Critics described the development as contrary to India’s democratic values and its long-standing support for women’s rights.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the exclusion “an insult to India’s women journalists,” questioning how such an incident could occur in a democratic country that claims to uphold gender equality. Former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram also expressed disappointment, stating that male journalists should have walked out in solidarity the moment their female colleagues were barred. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticised the government for allowing the incident to happen, saying it dishonoured Indian women and the spirit of equality enshrined in the Constitution.
The controversy is especially sensitive given India’s cautious diplomatic engagement with the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The visit by Foreign Minister Muttaqi is viewed as part of ongoing efforts to establish a working relationship with Kabul after India reopened its mission there. However, the exclusion of women journalists has raised concerns that India might be overlooking issues of gender discrimination in pursuit of diplomatic engagement.
Responding to the backlash, a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban described the exclusion as “unintentional.” The spokesperson said that Muttaqi often meets female journalists in Kabul and that there had been no deliberate attempt to bar women from the event. Nonetheless, the explanation did little to calm public criticism, as many felt that hosting a press conference in the Indian capital without female participation sent a regressive message to the world.
Details about the organisation of the press event remain under scrutiny. Some reports suggest that invitations were sent directly by Afghan officials rather than through the Indian government. Since the Afghan Embassy is considered sovereign territory, the Indian authorities have limited control over who is invited or allowed entry. However, commentators argue that basic norms of inclusion and respect for press freedom should have been maintained, especially during an event hosted on Indian soil.
Journalists who attended the briefing said they received invitations only a few hours before the event, and that the list of invitees was very restricted. Women journalists reported that even those willing to comply with conservative dress codes were not permitted to attend. Many described the selection process as discriminatory and against the principles of free and fair media access.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the broader issue of women’s rights under the Taliban regime. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they have imposed severe restrictions on women’s education, employment, and public participation. Women have been banned from universities, barred from most government jobs, and required to adhere to strict dress and movement codes. International organisations have repeatedly condemned these policies as violations of basic human rights.
India has consistently voiced concern about the treatment of women and minorities in Afghanistan. At the same time, New Delhi has argued that practical engagement with the authorities in Kabul is necessary to ensure regional security and to protect its interests in trade and connectivity. This balancing act has been evident in India’s diplomatic strategy—maintaining contact with the Taliban while avoiding formal recognition of their government.
Observers say the current controversy highlights the difficulty of sustaining that balance. By allowing a press conference where women were excluded, even inadvertently, India risks sending a message that gender equality is negotiable in the face of diplomatic convenience. Analysts have warned that such incidents can damage India’s international image as a democracy that upholds equality and press freedom.
In diplomatic circles, officials maintain that the MEA’s position is clear: the ministry had no role in planning the press interaction and cannot be held responsible for decisions made by a foreign mission. However, critics believe the government could have expressed stronger disapproval or taken a public stand in solidarity with the excluded journalists.
Media associations and civil society groups have called on the Indian government to issue a more detailed statement reaffirming its commitment to gender equality and freedom of the press. They have also urged the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure that future diplomatic events involving visiting foreign dignitaries meet basic non-discriminatory standards.
The incident also serves as a reminder of the broader challenges in engaging with regimes that have restrictive social policies. India’s efforts to rebuild economic and diplomatic links with Afghanistan are seen as strategically important, particularly given its interests in regional stability and connectivity projects. Yet, as experts point out, such engagement must not come at the expense of fundamental rights and democratic principles.
As of now, the MEA’s brief statement remains its only official response. Whether the ministry will issue a more detailed clarification or take any further action remains to be seen. For many observers, the controversy underscores a critical question: how can India maintain its moral and diplomatic leadership in the region if it appears to tolerate actions that undermine the very values it promotes?
In the coming days, the issue is expected to remain in public focus, with both media and political voices demanding accountability. The outcome may influence how India frames its future diplomatic interactions with Afghanistan—and how it defines the limits of engagement with regimes that do not share its democratic ideals.
