The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday that it was not involved in the controversy over a press conference held by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, where women journalists were not allowed to attend. This has caused a lot of resentment.
The MEA explained that there was no joint press briefing after the meeting between Muttaqi and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Instead, the Afghan side organized a separate press event at its embassy.
At this event, which only male journalists and Afghan embassy officials attended, Muttaqi talked about different topics like relations between the two countries, humanitarian aid, trade routes, and regional security.
Male journalists should have left in protest: Chidambaram
The decision to exclude women journalists has been slammed by many opposition leaders. Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram criticized the situation, saying male journalists should have left in protest when they realized their female colleagues were not invited.
Priyanka asks PM to clarify his position
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also raised concerns and asked Prime Minister Modi for clarification on why female journalists were not allowed to attend the press conference.
Priyanka said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, please clarify your position on the removal of female journalists from the press conference of the representative of the Taliban on his visit to India. If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to the other, then how has this insult to some of India’s most competent women been allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride."
Muttaqi is part of the Taliban-led Afghan government, which is known for imposing strict rules on women, including limiting their ability to work.
During his visit to India, Muttaqi met with Jaishankar, and India announced it would upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, which was positively received by the Afghan foreign minister. Jaishankar said that India is committed to Afghanistan's sovereignty and independence.
The Taliban's policies towards women have faced global criticism, as they have restricted women's education, freedom of movement, and employment since taking power in Afghanistan.