Who is Petal Gahlot? Indian diplomat who delivered sharp rebuttal to Shehbaz Sharif at UN; countered Pak claims

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday dismantled Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s claims on Operation Sindoor and the recent conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Delivering India’s Right of Reply, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission accused Pakistan of shielding terrorist outfits and peddling falsehoods while attempting to portray defeat as victory.

She reminded the UNGA that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s military had “pleaded” with India for a cessation of hostilities after its airbases were devastated. “If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it,” Gahlot said in a sharp rebuttal.

Who is Petal Gahlot ?
Petal Gahlot, who delivered India’s powerful reply at the UNGA, is a career diplomat with a background in political science, translation, and international affairs.

• She became First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in July 2023.
• In September 2024, she took up the role of Advisor at the United Nations.
• Before moving to New York, she worked as an Undersecretary at the ministry of external affairs in India from June 2020 to July 2023.
• Gahlot holds a BA in Political Science, Sociology and French Literature from St. Xavier’s College (2005–2010)
• She completed a Master’s in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi (2010–2012).
• Later, she pursued a Master’s in Language Interpretation and Translation at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, US (2018–2020).

The first secretary also recalled Pakistan’s move at the UN Security Council earlier this year to shield ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), the group responsible for killing 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam attack. She accused Islamabad of exporting terrorism , recalling how it sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade while claiming to be a partner in the global war on terror.

Reiterating India’s longstanding position, Gahlot told the assembly that all outstanding issues with Pakistan must be resolved bilaterally, leaving “no room for any third party”. She challenged Sharif’s call for dialogue, demanding that Pakistan first shut down terror camps and hand over wanted terrorists.