India dismisses reports of blackout of Rajnath's speech

It is SAARC's practice that opening statement by host country is public and open to media while rest are recorded, a govt source said

India today 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 there were reports that Rajnath Singh's speech was reportedly blacked out as media organisations were not allowed to cover the 7th SAARC Home/Interior Ministers' conference.
 
The only broadcaster allowed inside the venue was state-owned Pakistan Television, the reports said.