Taliban Foreign Minister’s India Visit Sparks Outrage Over Ban on Female Journalists
Entry Ban On Female Journalists: Taliban Orders Enforced At Afghan Foreign Minister’s Press Conference In Delhi: The visit of Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Taliban-led Afghan government, has sparked widespread controversy in India after it was revealed that female journalists were barred from attending his press conference in New Delhi on Friday.
During his seven-day visit, Muttaqi held high-level talks with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on bilateral trade, humanitarian assistance, and regional security cooperation. However, it was the exclusion of women from media coverage that has dominated public discourse.
Photos of the press conference, shared on social media by Hafiz Zia Salam, head of the Afghan Foreign Ministry’s Public Information Department, showed an all-male presence. Sources confirmed that the ban on female journalists was directly imposed by Muttaqi himself, and it was strictly enforced by Afghan officials present at the venue.
Public Outrage and Backlash
The move has triggered intense backlash on social media, with many questioning India’s decision to engage diplomatically with a regime that continues to discriminate against women.
“If the Taliban Foreign Minister feels entitled to ignore women in a country like India, what must be the plight of women back in Afghanistan?” one user wrote.
Others noted that Muttaqi’s behavior in India mirrors the oppressive gender policies of the Taliban regime, which has curtailed women’s rights in Afghanistan, including bans on education, employment, and public presence for women in many sectors.
“India prides itself on women’s leadership. Hosting a leader who openly disregards women sends the wrong message,” a prominent women’s rights activist tweeted.
“Taliban Must Change Their Mindset”
Some female journalists and activists expressed disappointment over what they perceived as India’s soft stance during the visit.
“India gave a red carpet welcome to Muttaqi, who carried the Taliban’s regressive mindset into a democracy. If India wants to maintain ties, it must set clearer boundaries,” wrote one female journalist.
Official Talks: Trade, Aid, and Security
Despite the controversy, diplomatic discussions between Muttaqi and Jaishankar reportedly covered key issues such as:
- Bilateral trade expansion
- Humanitarian aid delivery to Afghan civilians
- Security assurances, with Muttaqi stating that “Afghan soil will not be used against any country”
This is one of the highest-level engagements between India and the Taliban since the group’s return to power in August 2021.
Concerns Over India’s Diplomatic Strategy
While New Delhi has maintained a cautious approach to the Taliban government, Friday’s developments have reignited debates about the values India should uphold in its foreign policy, especially regarding gender rights.
Analysts warn that engaging with the Taliban without addressing human rights concerns may damage India’s global image as a democratic nation that champions gender equality and press freedom.
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