US Lawmaker Praises Indian Women Journalists At Taliban Presser: 'Speaking Truth To Power'

Last Updated:October 17, 2025, 09:15 IST

The US congresswoman's response came after no Indian women journalists were not spotted in the Taliban minister Muttaqi's presser, which was held in delhi last week.

Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addresses a press conference. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

Days after a massive controversy erupted in India over the absence of women journalists at a media interaction of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi, US Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove on Thursday praised Indian women journalists for showing up at the fresh presser that was called later.

Praising the women journalists in India who attended the presser, Kamlager-Dove wrote, “Glad to see women journalists in India speaking truth to power & standing up for their right to equal participation—rights the Taliban has stripped from Afghan women."

She further added that the US government can’t remain silent and must continue to “raise the erasure of Afghan women in any engagement with the Taliban".

The US congresswoman’s response came after no Indian women journalists were not spotted in the Taliban minister Muttaqi’s presser, which was held in the national capital last week.

Taliban Minister’s India Visit

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was on a diplomatic visit to India last week, where he met several ministers, including Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, and visited Darul-uloom Deoband, a religious seminary in Uttar Pradesh. However, a massive row erupted following a press conference at the Afghan embassy last Friday, which excluded women journalists.

The move attracted massive criticism and the Opposition leaders slammed the central government for allowing such a press conference to take place, as it is rare for women journalists to be excluded from official events and media interactions organised in New Delhi.

However, the Indian government clarified its stand, saying that “it was not involved" in organising the presser. Meanwhile, the Taliban government justified the absence of female journalists as a “technical issue".

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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