Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stirred controversy in New Delhi after a recent press conference at the Afghanistan embassy went ahead without a single woman in attendance. Facing fierce criticism from political parties, media bodies, and citizens, he later defended the exclusion as a result of a “technical issue” rather than a deliberate snub. 

In his second press meet on Sunday, closely watched by many, Muttaqi acknowledged the earlier omission. He explained that the initial session was called on short notice, and a “small list of journalists” had been drawn up  a decision, he claimed, was made by colleagues and had no greater motive. 

But the damage was already done. Opposition leaders pounced, calling the absence of female reporters an “insult to women” and accusing India of letting Taliban style gender exclusion play out on its soil.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) quickly distanced itself, stating it had no role in organizing the Friday press interaction. Meanwhile, observers noted that the Taliban have been under sustained global pressure over their restrictions on women’s rights including bans on girls' secondary education and curbs on public participation. 

At Sunday’s updated press meet, women journalists were present, pressing Muttaqi on Afghanistan’s drift away from women’s freedoms under Taliban rule. Though he spoke of protecting rights under an “Islamic government,” critics questioned how much substance lay behind the words. 

This episode underscores the tightrope the Taliban walk eager to foster legitimacy abroad, yet constrained by a history of restrictive policies toward women. In the court of international opinion, symbolic gestures may not suffice.