During the 80th UN General Assembly, India delivered a forceful response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address, particularly his claims regarding Operation Sindoor. Petal Gahlot, a diplomat representing India, spearheaded this response. She directly accused Pakistan of harboring terrorist organizations and spreading false information. Her remarks were celebrated for their clarity and their strong condemnation of cross-border terrorism.
Petal Gahlot is currently the first Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, a role she began in 2023. Before that, she served as Undersecretary at the MEA India from June 2020 to July 2023. Gahlot also became Advisor at the United Nations in September 2024.
She holds a BA degree and an MA in Political Science, and a Master’s degree in Language Interpretation and Translation. Gahlot is also a musician, often sharing her music on social media.
In her address to the UN General Assembly, Gahlot pointed out that the Pakistani military had asked for a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor. She cited the destruction inflicted upon Pakistani air bases by Indian forces. Gahlot indicated that if Pakistan considered this destruction as a win, they could enjoy it. She emphasized Pakistan’s responsibility for terrorist attacks on Indian civilians and India’s exercise of its right to defend its citizens.