On October 10th, welcomed Ministry of External Affairs of India a delegation from the Taliban regime to Delhi. The country will reopen an embassy in Kabul and expresses its deep interest in Afghanistan's development and progress. The visit has drawn widespread criticism against how India prioritizes women's rights.
When the Taliban took power in 2021, India closed its embassy in Afghanistan. Unlike the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021), the Taliban regime has not been recognized as a state. Neither by India nor any other country. But with the reopening of its embassy in Kabul and the welcoming of an Afghan delegation, India is saying India nu be “fully engaged” in the sovereignty and independence of Afghanistan.
In connection with the Afghan visit, India highlighted its continued support for the civilian population in Afghanistan in the areas of healthcare, emergency relief and food aid. Something that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi should have expressed appreciation for.
Muttaqi's visit to Delhi attracted attention, not least because the minister held a press conference at the Afghan embassy on October 10th where female journalists were excluded.
BBC writes that the arrangement was condemned by Indian debaters and the journalistic community. The criticism is also believed to have contributed to Muttaqi holding a new press conference on October 12 where female journalists were allowed to participate. The fact that he then had to answer female journalists' questions about women's and girls' rights was seen as a success by some journalists the BBC spoke to.
Since the Taliban came to power, the human rights of women and girls have been systematically restricted. According to UN Gender Equality Body UN Women Taliban edicts have restricted women's movement, education and employment opportunities in a way that "eradicates the voices and perspectives of women and girls from public spaces."
The Indian government has previously expressed concern about women's rights under Taliban rule. At a press conference in 2022 interview Arindam Bagchi, then Spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, India's position on the issue:
– We have always emphasized the importance of establishing an inclusive and representative government that respects the rights of all Afghans and ensures the equal rights of women and girls to participate in all aspects of Afghan society, including access to higher education.
There are no clear indications that the issue of women's rights has been discussed this time. Nor are women and girls mentioned in the parties' statements. public statement from October 10.
Indian journalist Kallol Bhattacherjee commented on India's approach to women's rights in foreign policy in an episode of The Hindu's podcast "In Focus":
– The rights of women and girls may be a central issue of contention between India and the Taliban. But that does not prevent India from entering into a stronger partnership with the Taliban.
Some argue that Sweden should also initiate more contact points with the Taliban regime. In a debate article in DN In August, a group of debaters with backgrounds in diplomacy, aid and defense urged the Swedish government to open up discreet contacts with the Taliban government:
– The government has said that we will continue to support Afghan women and girls. This is best done through dialogue, even if it requires diplomatic contacts with a regime we dislike.
As India continues its dialogue with the Taliban, it remains to be seen whether women's rights will end up on future agendas.
Is there something in the text that is not correct? Contact us at opinion@fuf.se