Afghan minister's Delhi press meet sparks outrage, 'bans' women journalists
What's the story
A press conference by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi has sparked controversy for barring women journalists from attending. The event, held at the Afghan Embassy, was limited to male reporters only. This decision was reportedly taken by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi, despite India's suggestion to include female reporters.
Inclusion suggestion
Male journalists should have walked out in protest: Chidambaram
The decision to exclude women journalists from the press conference has drawn criticism from various quarters. Former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram expressed shock. He wrote on the social media site, X, "I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan." "In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded (or not invited)," he added.
Twitter Post
P Chidambaram's post on X
I am shocked that women journalists were excluded from the press conference addressed by Mr Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 11, 2025
In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out when they found that their women colleagues were excluded (or not invited)
Rights query
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questions Modi's commitment to women's rights
Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to women's rights in light of the incident. She wrote on X, "Prime Minister @narendramodi 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."
Twitter Post
Priyanja Gandhi Vadra's statement
Prime Minister @narendramodi 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.
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 11, 2025
If your recognition of women’s rights isn’t just convenient posturing from one election to…
MEA responds
MEA issues clarification
Responding to the row, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the government had "no involvement in the press interaction." Muttaqi is on a week-long visit to India, which began on October 9 and will end on October 16. This is the first high-level delegation from Kabul to India since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Rights evasion
Afghanistan situation has improved since Taliban takeover, says Muttaqi
When asked about the status of women in Afghanistan, Muttaqi dodged the question and said every country has its own systems and values that should be respected. He claimed Afghanistan's situation had improved since the Taliban took over in August 2021, citing no daily deaths compared to before. There has been global criticism of the Taliban's restrictions on women's rights and participation in public life, including from the United Nations.
Terror and ties
Afghanistan sees India as a close friend, says Muttaqi
During the press conference, Muttaqi also made remarks about terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. "Not a single one of them is in Afghanistan. Not an inch of land is controlled by them in the country... Let other countries also act against such terror groups like Afghanistan did for peace," he said. He also said Afghanistan sees India as a close friend, wanting relations based on mutual respect and trade.