Key Highlights
- Women journalists were barred from attending Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s press conference in New Delhi on Friday, October 10, 2025.
- Security personnel at the Afghan Embassy refused entry to female reporters despite valid invitations and adherence to dress codes.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs clarified it had “no role” in the Taliban’s decision.
- The incident triggered strong political backlash, journalist protests, and global criticism over gender discrimination.
What Happened
A major diplomatic storm erupted on Friday when women journalists from leading Indian outlets including India Today, NDTV, Times Now, and The Independent were barred from entering the Taliban foreign minister’s press briefing in New Delhi.
The press conference was held at the Afghan Embassy following bilateral talks between Amir Khan Muttaqi and India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Despite holding official invitations and complying with Islamic dress codes, women reporters were stopped at the gate by security personnel and Delhi Police. Male journalists were allowed entry.
Political Reactions in India
The incident immediately escalated into a political flashpoint.
- Rahul Gandhi: “When you allow the exclusion of women journalists from a public forum, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them.”
- P. Chidambaram: “Male journalists should have walked out when their female colleagues were excluded.”
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra: Called it “an insult to India’s women journalists” and demanded PM Modi clarify his stance.
- Mahua Moitra: Labeled the government “a shameful bunch of spineless hypocrites.”
Several senior journalists echoed similar sentiments, questioning why India allowed discriminatory foreign protocols on its soil.
Taliban’s Stand & MEA Clarification
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement distancing itself:
“The MEA had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by the Afghan foreign minister in Delhi.”
The Taliban delegation justified the exclusion by saying:
“Every country has its own rules and regulations. Afghan women follow the rules made by the country’s Nizam.”
Diplomatic sources revealed that Indian officials had recommended inclusion of female reporters, but Taliban officials rejected the suggestion.
Global & Diplomatic Fallout
This was the first time women journalists have been excluded from covering a foreign delegation’s event in India, marking a disturbing precedent.
The incident also comes amid India’s cautious engagement with the Taliban:
- India plans to reopen its Kabul embassy after four years.
- Muttaqi’s visit marks the highest-level Taliban delegation to India since August 2021.
- The visit required special UN Security Council approval, as Muttaqi remains under sanctions.
International figures including Taslima Nasreen condemned the incident, saying the Taliban “do not consider women to be human.” She also criticized male journalists for not walking out in solidarity.
Broader Implications
Political
- Opposition parties accuse the Modi government of undermining women’s rights and contradicting its “Nari Shakti” slogan.
- The controversy could impact India’s diplomatic image globally, especially in gender rights discourse.
Media & Press Freedom
- Raises questions about press freedom, journalist safety, and gender representation in international diplomacy.
Societal Message
- Critics say the government’s inaction sets a dangerous precedent — legitimizing gender discrimination by foreign powers on Indian soil.
Geopolitical Lens
India’s decision to engage diplomatically with the Taliban reflects strategic compulsions tied to:
- Regional security and counter-terrorism concerns.
- Geopolitical competition involving China, Pakistan, and Russia.
- Stabilizing Afghanistan’s power balance without direct endorsement.
But the diplomatic pragmatism comes with ethical costs—as seen in the global criticism India now faces.
Context: Taliban’s Record on Women
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban has:
- Banned women from education beyond Grade 6.
- Restricted employment and movement of women.
- Enforced severe dress codes and segregation in public spaces.
The UN calls this the world’s most severe women’s rights crisis.
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