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KABUL – Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India has sparked widespread criticism after women journalists were reportedly barred from attending his press conference at the Afghan Embassy in New Delhi. Security personnel and police reportedly denied entry to female reporters, despite their adherence to conservative dress codes.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from Indian opposition leaders, with Congress figures Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra calling the exclusion “insulting” and questioning the government’s commitment to women’s rights. The Ministry of External Affairs said it was not involved in organizing the event.
The visit, aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and reopening India’s embassy in Kabul, marks the first trip by an Afghan minister to India since 2021. Critics argue that engaging with Afghanistan’s administration while ignoring gender discrimination raises questions about India’s stance on human rights and press freedom.
