Who Is Petal Gahlot? The Diplomat Who Set The Record Straight On India-Pak Conflict At UN

Updated: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 21:28 [IST]

When Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with claims glorifying terrorism, India's Petal Gahlot did not hold back. As First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN, Gahlot exercised India's right of reply on Friday, delivering a sharp rebuttal that caught global attention.

"Mr. President, this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism central to their foreign policy," Gahlot said. She further noted that no theatrics or lies could mask the truth.

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In response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's UNGA address, India's First Secretary Petal Gahlot delivered a sharp rebuttal, highlighting India's perspective on terrorism and its military actions, including strikes on terrorist bases during Operation Sindoor.

Who Is Petal Gahlot The Diplomat Who Set The Record Straight On India-Pak Conflict At UN

Gahlot specifically highlighted the Indian Army's strikes on terrorist bases in Bahawalpur and Muridke during Operation Sindoor, pointing out that senior Pakistani officials had paid tribute to those terrorists killed. She questioned Sharif's narrative of the conflict, calling it bizarre, and clarified India's position: "Till 9th May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. On 10th May, the military itself pleaded for a cessation of hostilities."

A Closer Look at Petal Gahlot

Petal Gahlot joined India's Permanent Mission to the UN as First Secretary in July 2023, but her diplomatic journey spans years of service. She previously worked as Under Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs, heading the European West Division from 2020 to 2023. During that time, she also served in Indian missions in Paris and San Francisco, gaining valuable international exposure.

Outside the diplomatic sphere, Gahlot is a talented musician. She regularly shares videos of herself playing the guitar, with renditions of "Bella Ciao" and "Lost On You" by LP gaining traction on social media platforms.

Academically, she has a bachelor's in arts in political science, sociology, and French literature from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. She then pursued an MA in political science and government at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, followed by a master's in language interpretation and translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.