Petal Gahlot: The Indian Diplomat Who Rebutted Pakistan PM Sharif at UNGA

Petal Gahlot, first secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, delivered a strong rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday following his address to the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

Exercising India’s right of reply, Gahlot accused Sharif of “once again glorifying terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy.” She said, “No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the truth,” highlighting terrorist bases targeted by the Indian Army in Bahawalpur and Muridke during Operation Sindoor.

Gahlot noted that senior Pakistani military and civilian officials had paid homage to terrorists killed in the attacks and called Sharif’s account of the recent conflict “bizarre.” She clarified that while Pakistan threatened further attacks until May 9, its military had requested a cessation of hostilities on May 10.

About Petal Gahlot
Gahlot joined India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in July 2023. Previously, she served as under secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs in the European West Division from 2020 to 2023, and worked at Indian missions in Paris and San Francisco.

A classically trained professional, Gahlot also pursues music and regularly shares guitar performances on social media, including renditions of “Bella Ciao” and LP’s “Lost On You.” She holds a BA in political science, sociology, and French literature from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, an MA in political science and government from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and a master’s degree in language interpretation and translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.