Petal Gahlot: The Indian Diplomat Who Delivered a Powerful Rebuttal to Pakistan's Prime Minister at the United Nations

Petal Gahlot stands as a distinguished diplomat with comprehensive expertise spanning political science, translation, and international relations.

First Secretary Petal Gahlot at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has recently become the embodiment of India's robust diplomatic resistance after delivering a powerful rebuke to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While exercising India's right of reply at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Gahlot methodically countered Sharif's claims regarding Operation Sindoor and ongoing tensions between the two nuclear powers. Reports indicate that she firmly stated the Pakistani PM had "once again glorified terrorism."

Petal Gahlot's diplomatic career reflects substantial experience and expertise. She joined India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations as First Secretary in July 2023 and was subsequently appointed as an Advisor at the UN in September 2024. Prior to her current position, Gahlot served as Undersecretary in the Ministry of External Affairs' European West Division from June 2020 until July 2023, during which she also held postings at Indian missions in Paris and San Francisco.

Beyond her diplomatic responsibilities, Gahlot nurtures a passion for music. She regularly shares videos of herself playing guitar on social media platforms, where her interpretations of songs like Bella Ciao, Lost On You, and Kabira from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani have garnered significant appreciation.

Gahlot's academic journey spans multiple continents and disciplines. She completed her BA in Political Science, Sociology, and French Literature at St. Xavier's College in Mumbai (2005-2010), followed by a Master's degree in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi (2010-2012). She further enhanced her credentials with a Master's in Language Interpretation and Translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, United States (2018-2020).

In her diplomatic response at the UN, Gahlot accused Pakistan of harboring terrorist organizations while propagating falsehoods and attempting to reframe defeat as victory. She pointedly reminded the assembly that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's military had "pleaded" with India to halt operations after suffering significant damage to their airbases.

"If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," Gahlot reportedly stated in her incisive rebuttal.

She highlighted Pakistan's efforts at the UN Security Council earlier this year to shield The Resistance Front (TRF), the organization responsible for the deaths of 26 civilians in the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Gahlot accused Islamabad of exporting terrorism, referencing how Pakistan sheltered Osama bin Laden for a decade while simultaneously claiming to be an ally in counterterrorism efforts.

Reaffirming India's longstanding position, she emphasized that all outstanding issues with Pakistan must be resolved through bilateral discussions, without third-party involvement. Gahlot challenged Sharif's calls for dialogue, insisting that Pakistan must first dismantle terrorist infrastructure and surrender wanted terrorists as prerequisites for meaningful engagement.