Women journalists were notably absent from a press conference addressed by Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi on Friday, in a move that drew quiet discomfort from various quarters, as reported by Jayanth Jacob of The New Indian Express.

According sources, the final decision to exclude women reporters was taken by Taliban officials accompanying Muttaqi, despite Indian authorities indicating that participation should be broad-based and include women journalists.

“We didn’t expect anything different as the meet was organised by the Taliban officials,” said a source. The exclusion has sparked criticism and renewed concerns over the Taliban’s treatment of women. There was no immediate response from the Afghan embassy or the Taliban delegation on the decision.