Was Rajnath's tough-on-terror SAARC speech 'blacked out'?

It seems misinformation and half-truths rule the roost when it comes to the uber-complicated India-Pakistan relations and the thorny issue of terrorism.

With Union home minister Rajnath Singh's much-hyped yet controversial Islamabad visit to attend the seventh SAARC Home/Interior Ministers' Summit coming to an abrupt end today after Singh delivered a power-packed, tough-on-terror speech on Thursday, it was all-out confusion and hysteria on Indian mainstream and social media.

Indian delegation headed by HM participating in the first working session of SAARC HM Conference pic.twitter.com/9YnFu39WDU

— HMO India (@HMOIndia) August 4, 2016

While Rajnath Singh minced no words and openly said that Pakistan must ensure that terrorism isn't glorified (he was referring to the separatists-incited protests in Kashmir in the wake of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani's death), reports started flying that the Union home minister's speech was "blacked out" by Pakistan.

In report after report, the (incorrect) information was peddled that Singh's speech was facing a media blackout, with no Indian or even Pakistani private media channels allowed to cover it.

There were reports of an altercation between senior Indian and Pakistani officials over the supposed black out.

Only the public broadcaster of Pakistan - PTV - was allowed in, while the introductory speeches of Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and the Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar (Rajnath singh's counterpart) were telecast.

Govt sources deny "blackout" of @HMOIndia speech in Pakistan,say std procedure for SAARC that only host countries statements are broadcast

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) August 4, 2016

With reference to HM's meeting in Islamabad earlier today, media reports of a 'blackout' of our HM's statement are misleading: Sources

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 4, 2016

It is the standard SAARC practice that the opening statement by the host country is public and open to the media: Sources

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 4, 2016

Pak blacks out Home Min @rajnathsingh 's address at #SAARC. Rajnath to brief media in Delhi on returning. To skip Pak home Minister's lunch

— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) August 4, 2016

#Pakistan should have conducted itself in a mature manner dealing with #RajnathInPak visit. Both countries need to realise imp of relations

— Shujaat Bukhari (@bukharishujaat) August 4, 2016

After all @rajnathsingh was a guest in #Pakistan and the visit should hav been seen as opportunity in improving relations #RajnathInPak

— Shujaat Bukhari (@bukharishujaat) August 4, 2016

While accusations and frenzy characterised the first hour since the "news broke", it finally came to the ministry of external affairs and MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup to clarify that Islamabad hadn't intentionally blacked out Rajnath Singh's speech, but was only following the protocol that called for "in camera" talks and speeches to facilitate free and frank discussions without media hype and expectations.

Accountability needs to fixed as to why India's Home Minister @rajnathsingh was allowed to be snubbed by Pak. https://t.co/Sd8kyhwKUQ

— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) August 4, 2016

However, in another upset and what possibly could be the real snub, both Rajnath Singh and Chaudhary Nisar, Pakistan's interior minister, did not attend the SAARC Conference Lunch, even though Nisar was the suposed "host" of the event.

Another disaster by Ajit [Dove] Doval. Rajnath Singh is reportedly coming back to India cancelling all his Pak engagements. Why did he go?

— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) August 4, 2016

Who's surprised @rajnathsingh's speech in Pak was blacked out? Only our govt which hasn't learnt how to deal with rogue Pak. Even B'desh has

— Minhaz Merchant (@minhazmerchant) August 4, 2016

Rajnath Singh too made a quicker than expected dash back home, when his speech received the usual grunts and rants in Pakistan, with even a Hizbul Mujahideen protest marking a sinister welcome to the Indian home minister.

#RajnathInPakSources on issue of media gag on Rajnath Singh's speech during #SAARC meet'Sessions were in-camera' pic.twitter.com/kdn3R0XNY4

— Geeta Mohan (@Geeta_Mohan) August 4, 2016

?????? ???? ?? ????????? ????: ???? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??.#RajnathNotWelcome #RajnathInPak pic.twitter.com/5MuMx480QV

— The Lallantop (@thelallantop) August 4, 2016

Rajnath Singh's speech in SAARC summit gagged out. No media coverage. Why did Pak chicken out? What msg does it give? #RajnathNotWelcome

— Sujata (@Sujataspeaks) August 4, 2016

*SAARC*PA- Sir Light chali gayi. Projector backup par nahi haiNawaz Sharif- Sabko aisa bolo hum Rajnath Singh ka blackout kar rahe hain

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) August 4, 2016

Rajnath Singh's speech at SAARC conference blacked out. Modi will retaliate strongly by not wishing Nawaz Shariff Happy B'day next year

— Joy (@Joydas) August 4, 2016

Rajnath Singh, however, tried reiterating the "neighbourhood first" policy, and insisted that all the SAARC nations must come together to forge a comely and peaceful multilateral climate with increased regionalcooperation and collective action on terrorism.

Pak didn't black out Rajnath Singh's speech. Bijli chali gayi thi, samjha karo. #RajnathInPak #NindaMama

— Team Nazar Battu (@nazar_battu) August 4, 2016

Pakistan media blacked out Rajnath Singh's speech. Comrade Ravish Kumar: Ye to kuch bhi nahin.. hum to apno ko bhi black out kar dete hain

— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) August 4, 2016

An excerpt from his speech:

It is vital that the South Asian environment has necessary conditions for achieving greater regional prosperity, connectivity and cooperation, if our efforts to these objectives are to succeed. However, we are witness to mounting threats and incidents that endanger our region's peace and stability. Terrorism remains the biggest challenge and threat to our peace. South Asia continues to be deeply affected by this malady, as witnessed most recently in cowardly terrorist attacks in Pathankot, Dhaka, Kabul and other places. Merely strong condemnation of such terrorist attacks is not enough. We must harden our resolve to eradicate this menace and also take serious steps to this end.

It also needs to be ensured that terrorism is not glorified and is not patronized by any state. One country's terrorist cannot be a martyr or freedom fighter for anyone. I also speak for the entire humanity- not just for India or other SAARC members - in urging that in no circumstances should terrorists be eulogised as martyrs. Those who provide support, encouragement, sanctuary, safe haven or any assistance to terrorism or terrorists must be isolated. Strongest possible steps need to be taken not only against terrorists and terrorist organisations but also those individuals, institutions, organisations or nations that support them. Only this will ensure that the forces engaged in promoting the heinous crime of terrorism against humanity are effectively countered.

I've placed India's stand across in #Islamabad . I'll now speak in #Parliament : HM @rajnathsingh #RajnathInPak pic.twitter.com/No3wPrrLyg

— South Asia Newsline (@SAsiaNewsline) August 4, 2016

However, it is needless to say that the SAARC/Islamabad fiasco has further embittered India-Pakistan relations. Given that China-Pakistan bonhomie is now assuming significant economic proportions, India must weigh its options carefully before taking any rash decisions at both bilateral and multilateral platforms.

Read the full text of Rajnath's SAARC summit speech herehttps://t.co/98lMTjTiOd pic.twitter.com/b68XWBnZdc

— India Today (@IndiaToday) August 4, 2016