Who is Petal Gahlot? Indian diplomat who ripped into Shehbaz Sharif and debunked Pakistan’s claims at UNGA News24 –
India on Saturday strongly criticised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech at the UNGA and dismantled his claims on Operation Sindoor. At the 80th UN General Assembly, young Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot delivered India’s powerful reply, accusing Islamabad of shielding terrorist outfits and spreading misinformation while trying to portray defeat as victory. Her remarks stood out for their boldness and clarity on India’s stance against cross-border terror.
Who Is Petal Gahlot?
Petal Gahlot is a career diplomat who became the first Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in 2023. She assumed the role of Advisor at the United Nations in September 2024. Prior to moving to New York, she served as the Undersecretary at the MEA India from June 2020 to July 2023.
Gahlot is a BA degree holder in Political Science, Sociology, and French Literature. After graduating from St. Xavier’s College (2005–2010), she completed her MA in Political Science from Delhi’s Lady Shri Ram College (2010–2012). Later, she earned a Master’s degree in Language Interpretation and Translation from the US’s Middlebury Institute of International Studies (2018–2020). She is regular guitar player and singer, who often shares her music prowess on the social media platform X
Gahlot Counters Pakistani PM’s Claim
At the UN General Assembly, the first Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Petal Gahlot, reminded the world that the Pakistani military “pleaded” with India to end the conflict during Operation Sindoor. “The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani air bases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it. The truth is that, as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India. We have exercised the right to defend our people,” she said.
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