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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.