The Indian government has clarified that it was not involved in the recent Taliban press conference held in Delhi, where female journalists were reportedly barred from attending.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that it had no role in the event, which was addressed by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
The exclusion of women journalists drew sharp criticism from political leaders. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to women’s rights and called for clarity on India’s stance. Other leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Mahua Moitra, also condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and a setback for gender equality.
The press conference came after meetings between Minister Muttaqi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where discussions focused on bilateral trade, humanitarian aid, and security cooperation.
The incident has sparked a debate over India’s diplomatic engagement with the Taliban and its position on women’s rights, though the government has not commented on the wider implications.
