Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi Holds Another Press Conference in Delhi with Women Journalists Following Backlash Over Gender Exclusion
In a significant move addressing widespread outrage over gender exclusion, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a second press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, October 12, 2025, this time including both women and men journalists. This event followed sharp criticism after his earlier presser on Friday that featured no female journalists, drawing condemnation from opposition leaders, media bodies, and women’s rights advocates.
The earlier press interaction at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi saw an all-male group of reporters, which sparked allegations of blatant gender discrimination on Indian soil. The Editors Guild of India and the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) were among the strongest voices demanding accountability, with the Editors Guild stating such exclusion could not be justified by diplomatic protections like the Vienna Convention.
Addressing the controversy, Muttaqi clarified there was no deliberate intention to exclude women journalists. He explained that the exclusion resulted from “short notice” and that the participation list was prepared with specific journalists without any technical or intentional reasons. “It was not intended,” Muttaqi said, emphasizing the need for inclusivity in media access.
Following the backlash, Muttaqi’s team arranged a new press conference inviting women reporters, describing the event as “inclusive” and open to all media members. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified it had no role or involvement in the initial press interaction. However, media groups stressed that irrespective of MEA's coordination, such gender-based exclusion should never have been allowed to proceed without objection.
Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi marks his first official trip since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021. The week-long visit is part of efforts by the Taliban government to re-engage with regional countries amid ongoing international criticism of its policies restricting women’s rights, education, and public participation.
This second, more inclusive press conference highlights the pressure on the Taliban government to improve its stance on women's participation in public and international fora, especially while seeking legitimacy and cooperation from neighboring nations like India.
The reaction to the initial exclusion and the prompt corrective action reflects the significant sensitivity in India around media freedoms and gender equality, underscoring the crucial role the press continues to play in holding power accountable, even within diplomatic contexts.
This episode also sends a stronger message to the Taliban regime about the global expectations for gender inclusivity and respect for rights, amid their efforts to normalize relations internationally.
This development in Delhi is being closely watched by observers in the region, as it may set the tone for future engagements and the evolving interaction dynamics with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. The inclusion of women journalists not only remedies an immediate diplomatic faux pas but also serves as a test for the Taliban's responsiveness to international norms and internal demands for gender equality.