Women journalists were notably absent from a press conference held by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, raising concerns about gender discrimination in media coverage of significant diplomatic events. This incident reflects the ongoing challenges faced by women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, where their rights have been severely restricted.

The press conference followed a meeting between Muttaqi and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where they discussed various topics, including India’s support for Afghanistan's development and the reopening of India's embassy in Kabul. However, the exclusion of female journalists from the event has drawn widespread criticism. Prominent journalists expressed outrage, questioning how such discrimination could occur in India.

Nayanima Basu, an author and journalist, highlighted the absurdity of allowing the Taliban to impose its discriminatory practices in India, stating, "How can this be allowed? Who approved such an outrageous disregard for representation?" Suhasini Haidar from The Hindu echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the Indian government for hosting the Taliban delegation under such conditions.

The press conference was held at the Afghan Embassy, where only a select group of journalists were invited, with reports indicating that women journalists were not included in the informal invitations. This selective approach has raised alarms about transparency and media access, particularly regarding India's evolving relationship with the Taliban.

During the meeting, Muttaqi assured that Afghanistan would not allow its territory to be used for cross-border terrorism and emphasized the importance of India as a close friend. He stated, "In the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, India was the first responder. We want relations based on mutual respect, trade, and people-to-people ties."

The Ministry of External Affairs has yet to respond to the backlash over the exclusion of women journalists. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the implications of engaging with the Taliban while upholding democratic values and gender equality in India.