India Distances Itself from Taliban Press Meet Snub to Women Journalists: MEA Says ‘No Role, No Involvement’ in Controversial Event

Delhi: Amid mounting outrage over the exclusion of female journalists from the Taliban’s press conference in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday clarified that the Indian government had “no role or involvement” in organizing the event.

The press interaction, held at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi following talks between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, drew sharp criticism after photos showed that only male reporters were allowed to attend. The controversy overshadowed the diplomatic discussions, marking a tense moment in India’s engagement with the Taliban.

According to India TV sources, the Taliban delegation itself controlled the guest list, disregarding suggestions from Indian officials to include women journalists. “The event was organized entirely by the Afghan side. The Government of India had no role in the press arrangements,” MEA officials reportedly clarified.

Muttaqi, who is on a week-long visit to India (October 9–16) — the first by a Taliban minister since the group seized power in 2021 — sidestepped questions on women’s rights and media freedom when asked by reporters. “Every country has its own customs, laws, and principles,” he said, insisting that other nations should “respect Afghanistan’s internal affairs.” He also claimed that Afghanistan’s security had “improved” since the Taliban’s return to power, citing a decline in violence compared to the pre-2021 period.

The press briefing has reignited global concern over the Taliban’s systematic oppression of women. Since taking over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban regime has banned girls’ education beyond sixth grade, restricted women’s employment in most sectors, and enforced strict dress codes — measures that have drawn widespread condemnation from the United Nations and global human rights groups.