India strongly refuted the assertions made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the UNGA, specifically those concerning Operation Sindoor. The Indian perspective was articulated by Petal Gahlot, the First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN. She countered Pakistan’s narrative by accusing Islamabad of supporting terrorist groups and propagating misleading information. Gahlot’s response was noted for its assertive stance against cross-border terrorism.
Petal Gahlot currently serves as the first Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, a role she undertook in 2023. Prior to this, she held the position of Undersecretary at the MEA India from June 2020 to July 2023, and she assumed the role of Advisor at the United Nations in September 2024.
Gahlot is an alumna of St. Xavier’s College, where she earned a BA in Political Science, Sociology, and French Literature. She later pursued an MA in Political Science and earned a Master’s degree in Language Interpretation and Translation. She is a regular musician, sharing her musical talents on social media.
At the UN General Assembly, Gahlot brought up how the Pakistani military had appealed for a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor. She referenced the destruction of Pakistani air bases by Indian forces. She said if Pakistan considered this a victory, then they were welcome to enjoy it. Gahlot underscored that Pakistan had been responsible for terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in India, and that India had exercised its right to defend its people.