India said on Saturday that it had no role in the press conference held by Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi. The event caused anger after women journalists were not allowed to attend.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) explained that Afghanistan’s Consul General in Mumbai sent the invites to a few Afghan reporters already in Delhi. The ministry also said that the Afghan Embassy works independently and does not come under India’s control.
During the meet on Friday, some female reporters were stopped at the entrance, even though they followed the dress code. Many shared their frustration online. The Taliban’s record of banning women from education and work and removing women’s studies courses added to the criticism.
Opposition leaders slammed the Centre. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain how such an insult to Indian women was allowed. P. Chidambaram said men journalists should have walked out in protest.
Muttaqi met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his visit. Jaishankar announced that India will upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to an embassy, showing a renewed interest in Afghanistan’s growth.
