SAARC meet: Reports of Rajnath Singh's speech blackout misleading, says India

India on Thursday described the reports of a 'blackout' of Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement during the SAARC ministerial meeting as "misleading".

"With reference to the Home Ministers meeting in Islamabad earlier today, media reports of a 'blackout' of our Home Minister's statement are misleading.

"It is the standard SAARC practice that the opening statement by the host country is public and open to the media while the rest of the proceedings are in camera, which allows for a full and frank discussion of issues," a government source said.

The reaction came after reports claimed that Home Minister Rajnath Singh's speech during SAARC summit in Pakistan over terrorism.

"There should be strongest action not only against terrorists but also against nations who support terrorism," said Rajnath Singh at SAARC meeting.

Rajnath Singh also slammed Pakistan over supporting Wani. "There should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs," said Rajnath Singh in reference to killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani.

Also read: Rajnath barely shook hands with his counterpart Khan at SAARC meet

Singh’s speech was not aired by PTV, a Pakistan media channel which was only media allowed to cover the event, Indian crew was not allowed inside the conference hall.

Post incident, Rajnath Singh kept himself away from the lunch hosted by Nisar Ali Khan.

The eight-member SAARC grouping comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.