By Martin Shwenk Leade

Copyright indiatimes

ANIPetal Gahlot

India’s first secretary at its permanent mission to the United Nations, Petal Gahlot, delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s claims regarding Operation Sindoor and recent tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Speaking during India’s Right of Reply at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, Gahlot accused Pakistan of shielding terrorist groups and spreading falsehoods while trying to present military setbacks as victories.Her intervention highlighted India’s longstanding stance on bilateral resolution of issues with Pakistan, while challenging Islamabad’s record on terrorism. Gahlot specifically referenced Pakistan’s earlier efforts at the UN Security Council to protect ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), the group responsible for killing 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam attack.Who is Petal Gahlot?Petal Gahlot is a career diplomat with a background in political science, translation, and international affairs. She currently serves as First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, a role she assumed in July 2023, and became an Advisor at the UN in September 2024.Before her posting in New York, she worked as Undersecretary at the Ministry of External Affairs, India, from June 2020 to July 2023. Gahlot holds a BA in Political Science, Sociology, and French Literature from St. Xavier’s College (2005–2010) and a Master’s in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi (2010–2012).Live EventsAlso Read: If destroyed runways, burnt-out hangars look like victory, Pakistan welcome to enjoy it- India slams Sharif’s speech at UNGAShe later completed a Master’s in Language Interpretation and Translation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, US (2018–2020).What Gahlot said at the UNGADuring her Right of Reply, Gahlot accused Pakistan of shielding terrorist outfits and spreading falsehoods while attempting to portray defeat as victory. She also said that Pakistan’s military “pleaded” for a cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor in May, asserting that there is “no room for any third party” to intervene in issues between New Delhi and Islamabad.“This assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the prime minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy,” She further highlighted Pakistan’s military setbacks during Operation Sindoor, and said, “If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it.” She added that Pakistan had “pleaded” with India for a cessation of hostilities after its airbases were devastated. — IndiaUNNewYork (@IndiaUNNewYork) Gahlot added: “Till May 9, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on May 10, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible.”Also Read: Pakistan military pleaded for cessation of fighting during Operation Sindoor: India at UNGAGahlot also recalled Pakistan’s efforts earlier this year at the UN Security Council to shield ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), the group responsible for killing 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam attack. She accused Islamabad of exporting terrorism, citing how it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade while claiming to be a partner in the global fight against terror.Reaffirming India’s long-standing position, she said, “India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in that regard.” She further challenged Sharif’s call for dialogue: “Where terrorism is concerned, we are making it clear that there will be no distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors. Both will be held accountable, nor will we allow terrorism to be practiced under the cover of a nuclear blackmail.”Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onIndia Pakistan conflictOperation SindoorPetal GahlotUNGAwho represents India at UNwho is petal gahlotindian diplomats at UNUNGA speechPakistan PM UNGA speechUnited Nations(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless

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