After uproar, Afghanistan Foreign Min Muttaqi calls another press meet, invites women journalists
Report
New Delhi: In response to widespread criticism over exclusion of women journalists from an earlier press conference, visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has called for a second press interaction on Sunday, this time inviting female journalists, as reported by The Indian Express.
Muttaqi, who arrived in New Delhi for a week-long visit on Friday, faced backlash after women journalists were reportedly not allowed to attend, prompting accusations of gender discrimination.
The Editors Guild of India and the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) strongly condemned the exclusion. Both organisations labelled the incident as highly discriminatory, with the Guild emphasising that while diplomatic events may be protected under the Vienna Convention, they do not justify gender-based restrictions in media access on Indian soil.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified on Saturday that it had no involvement in the press conference.
“Whether or not the MEA coordinated the event, it is deeply troubling that such a discriminatory exclusion was allowed to proceed without objection,” the Guild said in a statement.
The IWPC has urged the Government of India to raise the issue with the Afghan Embassy to ensure that such gender-based exclusions are not repeated in future media briefings.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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