Petal Gahlot Shuts Down Pakistan PM at UN with Fierce Reply:

In a striking response that reverberated through the halls of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, issued a firm and unapologetic rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent remarks.{Petal Gahlot Shuts Down Pakistan PM} Exercising India’s Right of Reply on Friday (local time), Gahlot accused Sharif of once again glorifying terrorism during his address. Her statement was sharp and unwavering: "Mr. President, 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 declared. Gahlot didn’t stop there. She made it clear that "no degree of drama" and "no level of lies" could obscure the reality of Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism. Calling out Pakistan's consistent use of false narratives, she delivered a well-calibrated diplomatic takedown. She went on to cite specific instances—highlighting terrorist bases in Bahawalpur and Muridke, which were targeted by the Indian Army during Operation Sindoor. She noted that senior Pakistani military and civilian officials even paid homage to terrorists killed in these attacks, asking the global community: "Can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?" Responding to what she called a "bizarre account" of military conflict provided by Sharif, Gahlot reminded the assembly of recent events: “Till 9th May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10th May, the military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting.” Her statement laid bare the contradiction between Pakistan’s aggressive posturing and their quiet appeals behind closed doors—an inconsistency that didn’t go unnoticed by the international audience. Who is Petal Gahlot? Beyond her strong diplomatic presence at the UN, Petal Gahlot is a seasoned officer of the Indian Foreign Service. Appointed First Secretary in July 2023, she has steadily climbed the ranks with experience and poise. Before her UN assignment, she served for three years (2020–2023) as Under Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, focusing on the European West Division. During this time, she also had stints at Indian missions in Paris and San Francisco—further expanding her global perspective. Interestingly, Gahlot is not all about diplomacy. A passionate musician, she frequently shares videos of her guitar performances on Instagram and Twitter. Among her popular renditions are “Bella Ciao”, the iconic Italian protest song, and “Lost On You” by LP, both of which have attracted widespread attention on social media. Academic Excellence Gahlot’s impressive academic background adds to her multifaceted personality. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, sociology, and French literature from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a master’s in political science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. To further sharpen her language and diplomatic skills, she also earned a master’s degree in language interpretation and translation from the prestigious Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. In a world of diplomatic doublespeak, Petal Gahlot’s voice stands out—clear, composed, and courageous. Her latest remarks at the UN underscore India’s resolve and her own rising stature on the global stage.

NEWS