New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a follow-up press conference in New Delhi today, this time inviting women journalists, after facing widespread criticism over their absence from his initial media interaction. The visit, part of Taliban efforts to strengthen ties with India and the region, had been marred by backlash from journalists, politicians, and women's advocates over the exclusion.
Muttaqi, on a week-long visit since Thursday, described the earlier omission as a "technical issue" due to short notice and a limited list of invitees. "There was no intention to exclude anyone. No one's rights-whether men's or women's-should ever be denied," he said.
The first all-male press briefing on October ...