Though I am quite progressive in nature and philosophy, one thing I don't like about the liberals about their lack of understanding of common sense and pragmatism. No wonder it is said that the thing about common sense is it isn't so common. Same goes with the extreme left or woke section of the liberals who are champions at shooting on their own feet.
The most recent example is a section of media in India whining about India hosting the foreign minister of Taliban led Afghanistan and the fact that no women journalist were invited at press conference of the Afghan foreign minister. Their complaint - as Taliban is anti woman, the Indian establishment didn't want to hurt their guest's sentiments by allowing a woman at the press conference.I am all for women's rights and don't condone the brutal atrocities shown to the fairer sex in Afghanistan. America went into their country, foolishly tried to establish democracy and failed miserably in its mission. Teaching democracy in that part of the world is akin to our Odia saying - "SANDHA KU BHAGAVAT PADHAIBA" (teaching Bible to a Bull could be counterproductive). We are now seeing the results.
But with an unfriendly and volatile neighborhood with most gunning against it, India has no option but to befriend the land Afghanistan purely due to strategic reasons. Nothing wrong with that. We say in Odia - "SRI KRISHNA DINE GADHA PADA DHARI THILE", "Even Lord Krishna bent to touch a donkey's feet, humiliating himself in order to get his work done". Similarly India desperately needs Afghanistan on its side as the land locked nation which practices an extreme brand of Islam is located at a very sensitive region where all major global powers are pitted against each other.
It needs to be noted that in geopolitics there is no permanent friend or enemy where permanent interest thrives. Every country worth its salt practises the same to protect its self interest. Examples are aplenty. Historically Americans preach democracy but have no qualms about dealing with sundry dictators from Shah of Iran, Marcos of Philippines, Several military dictators Zia, Musharaf et all of Pakistan. For India its nothing new either. It has a history of dealing with Saudi Arab, Iran, China and the military junta of Myanmar, all champion human rights violators.
Countries practice their foreign policy taking the cultural and religious sensitivity of the other party into consideration. Indian deligates who are mostly Hindu aren't served any beef dish. The ones from Islamic nations aren't served pork or wine. The Americans in Saudi Arabia celebrate Christmas, considered unislamic in a ship off the coast of the Kingdom. Examples galore.
In this context nothing wrong with India hosting the Taliban foreign minister from Afghanistan if its suits the former's national interest. In this context, if not having a woman journalist in a press conference serves long term national goal, it's fine. It may be hypocrisy, but worldly wise.