Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday arrived in Islamabad to attend the SAARC Interior Minister’s conference. While the Summit was underway, Rajnath Singh’s speech was blacked out by disallowing the Pakistan media from covering it. Subsequently, his Pakistani counterpart also refused from attending the lunch which was followed by the conference.
The summit was organized to discuss issues related to terrorism and for an enhaced relationship between SAARC member countries. Ahead of the SAARC Summit, LeT founder Hafiz Saeed is known to have invoked protests against the arrival of Singh.
LIVE UPDATES:
05.46 pm: I’ve placed India’s stand across in Islamabad. I’ll now speak in Parliament, says Home Minister Rajnath Singh after arrival in Delhi.
05.12 pm: According to sources, it is the standard practice in SAARC, that the opening statement by the host country is public and open to the media. While the rest of the proceedings are in camera.
05.09 pm: With reference to Rajnath Singh’s meeting in Islamabad earlier today, media reports of a ‘blackout’ of our Home Minister’s statement are misleading, says Vikas Swarup, MEA
04.58 pm: Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Delhi.
04.30 pm: Even before Home Minister is back from Pakistan, you want to make headline, your headline is not my deadline, says Venkaiah Naidu to media.
03.56 pm: Commenting onj the black out during Rajnath Singh’s speech, M Venkaiah Naidu says, Pakistan model of democracy, Sadan chal raha hai, sadan mein batayenge.
03:46 pm: Home Minister Rajnath Singh emplanes for India.
03:36 pm: Reports suggest, Rajnath Singh said menace of terrorism greatly amplified by misuse of digital technology,should look at all aspects of cyber crime
03:35 pm: Rajnath Singh is believed to have stressed on the need to immediately ratify SAARC convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters
03.22 pm: Home Minister Rajnath Singh leaves for Islamabad airport, to return to India.
03.20 pm: Only Pakistan state PTV was allowed to cover introductory speeches of Pakistan Prime Minister and Interior Minister. Even private Pakistan media was not allowed, reports ANI
02.47 pm: Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s speech at SAARC conference blacked out. No media allowed to cover his speech. | Also read: Rajnath Singh’s speech blacked out at SAARC; is Pakistan conveying a message?
02.41 pm: Mere condemnation of terrorism is not enough, says Home Minister.
02.24 pm: There is no good or bad terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism. There should be no glorification of terrorists as martyrs, says Home Minister at SAARC Home Ministers’ meet in Pakistan.
02.20 pm: There should be strongest of action not only against terrorists but also against organisations, individuals, nations who support terror, says Home Minister Rajanth Singh
10.45 am: At National level, remarkable gains have been made against terrorists through operation Zarb-e-Azb and the effective implementation of National action plan reflect our government’s determination to eliminate scourge of terrorism from our soil for good, says Sharif in Islamabad
10.38 am: Despite numerous challenges, SAARC has made commendable contribution in promoting greater regional integration in South Asia, says Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad.
10.25 am: It is time for us to seize the moment, to leverage our potential and overcome our challenges, says Khan in Islamabad.
10.22 am: Pakistan is committed to SAARC process and desires to see it a successful regional organization, says Pak istan Interior Min Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan.
09.56 am: India has placed 3-4 proposals, offered techinal assistance to STOMD (SAARC terror offences monitoring desk), says HS Mehrishi at SAARC Home Secritaries meet.
09.40 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with his counterparts from SAARC countries will call on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Ahead of the SAARC Summit, LeT founder Hafiz Saeed is known to have invoked protests against the arrival of Singh. BSF on Monday said it was sure that the Pakistan Rangers and other authorities will take adequate measures to foil the ploans of Saeed.
Before his arrival in Islamabad, Home Minister Singh tweeted that he is looking forward to underscore the imperative of meaningful cooperation within the region against terrorism and organised crime as the conference provides a platform to discuss issues pertaining to security.
The Saarc group includes Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.