Women journalists were excluded from a press conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghan embassy in India on Friday, August 22, 2025. The event drew condemnation from Indian opposition leaders and media groups over the apparent gender ban. Sixteen male reporters attended while women faced denial at the gate.
This Afghan minister press conference gender ban exposes fault lines in India-Taliban ties. As India reopens its Kabul embassy after four years, the incident tests New Delhi’s commitment to women’s rights amid regional diplomacy. South Asian nations watch closely, fearing it signals tolerance for Taliban restrictions that curb female participation across borders.
Amir Khan Muttaqi Delhi Controversy Erupts
Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday, August 21, 2025, for a six-day visit. The trip marked the first by a senior Taliban official since their 2021 takeover. On Friday, he met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The duo announced India’s upgrade of its Kabul mission to full embassy status, shut since the Taliban’s return.
That evening, the Afghan embassy hosted the press interaction. Invites went to select journalists via Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mumbai. Around 16 men entered. Women reporters, including those from major Indian outlets, arrived in salwar kameez to meet any dress code. Security turned them away without explanation.
The exclusion lasted under an hour before word spread. Social media lit up with anger. Female journalists posted photos of the embassy gate, highlighting the snub.
MEA Denies Role in Women Journalists Exclusion
India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Saturday, August 23, 2025. “The Ministry of External Affairs had no involvement in the press interaction held yesterday by the Afghan FM in Delhi,” it said. The Afghan embassy falls outside Indian jurisdiction under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
A Taliban government source told reporters the oversight stemmed from poor coordination. “Female journalists were excluded due to lack of proper coordination and will be invited to next conference if held in Delhi.” Muttaqi addressed the issue later during a visit to Darul Uloom Deoband. His team “did not prohibit women,” he clarified when asked.
The Editors Guild of India condemned the act on Saturday. “While diplomatic premises may claim protection under the Vienna Convention, that cannot justify blatant gender discrimination in press access on Indian soil,” it stated. The Guild urged the government to ensure gender equity at future events. The Indian Women’s Press Corps echoed this, calling the ban “highly discriminatory” and pressing New Delhi to raise it with Kabul.
Backlash Intensifies Over Gender Ban
Opposition voices amplified the row. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X: “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. In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every space.” He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of silence on “Nari Shakti.”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned Modi’s stance. “How was this insult to some of India’s most competent women allowed in our country, a country whose women are its backbone and its pride?” she wrote.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra targeted male attendees. “Why did our emasculated spineless male journos remain in room? Government has dishonoured every single Indian woman by allowing Taliban minister to exclude women journalists from presser.” Former Union Minister P Chidambaram called for solidarity. “I am shocked that women journalists were excluded. In my personal view, the men journalists should have walked out.”
The furore peaked by Sunday. Media outlets ran front-page stories. Hashtags like #WomenJournalistsExcluded trended in India, with over 50,000 mentions by midday.
Second Presser Addresses Afghan Minister Press Conference Gender Ban
Muttaqi responded with a follow-up event on Sunday, August 24, 2025. This time, women journalists received explicit invites. Around 20 reporters attended, including females from Indian and international media. The meet focused on bilateral trade and security.
A Taliban spokesperson termed the initial lapse a “technical issue.” Muttaqi avoided direct comment but stressed inclusive dialogue in remarks. “Afghanistan seeks partnership with India on equal terms,” he said, per attendees.
The Indian Women’s Press Corps welcomed the step but demanded systemic change. “One correction does not erase the precedent,” a spokesperson noted.
Taliban Policies in Focus
Since August 2021, the Taliban has enforced edicts limiting women’s public roles. Bans cover education beyond primary school, employment in NGOs, and travel without male guardians. Over 1 million Afghan girls remain out of secondary education, per UN data. These rules clash with India’s gender parity push, including 33% women’s reservation in parliament passed in 2023.
The Delhi incident mirrors global scrutiny. In July 2025, the UN reported 200 attacks on Afghan journalists, mostly women. South Asian outlets like Pakistan’s Dawn covered the row, linking it to regional women’s rights erosion.
Background: India-Taliban Thaw
India suspended ties post-2021 but maintained a technical team in Kabul. Trade hit USD 1.5 billion in 2024, mainly via Chabahar port. Muttaqi’s visit signals warming, with talks on water sharing and counter-terrorism. Yet, human rights linger as a hurdle. New Delhi hosted Afghan refugees, numbering 15,000, since the takeover.
The embassy reopening revives 2021 channels. Jaishankar called it a “pragmatic step” on Friday. Critics argue it overlooks Taliban excesses.
Women Journalists Excluded Afghan Embassy India Row
Muttaqi’s itinerary includes Mumbai and Jaipur before departure on Wednesday, August 27. No further press events are confirmed. The MEA plans quiet diplomacy with Kabul on media access.
Opposition may raise the issue in parliament next week. The Editors Guild seeks a meeting with Jaishankar. As India eyes Central Asia via Afghanistan, the Afghan minister press conference gender ban could prompt guidelines for diplomatic media events.
The women journalists excluded Afghan embassy India episode reminds stakeholders of core values. Future ties must weave in equity to sustain momentum.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 12th, 2025
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