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Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, delivered the nation's loud and clear message to Pakistan at the 80th session of the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, highlighting Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's false claims of India's "unprovoked aggression" at the assembly earlier that day. 

"No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts," said the youg Indian diplomat, opening her three and a half minutes-long speech by describing the Pakistan leader's address as "absurd theatrics", stating that he "once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their (Pakistan's) foreign policy".

She was speaking on the fourth day of the assembly. 

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Here's a summary of Gahlot's precise and powerful speech at the 80th UNGA: 

"This is the very same Pakistan which, at the UN Security Council on 25 April 2025, shielded ‘The Resistance Front’, a Pakistani sponsored terror outfit, from the responsibility of carrying out the barbaric massacre of tourists in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir," Gahlot said in her speech addressed to UNGA President Annalena Baerbock at the assembly. 

Describing Pakistan as a country that has "long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism", Gahlot said India's bordering neighbour has "no shame in advancing the most ludicrous narratives to that end".

Drawing the assembly's attention to the fact that Pakistan sheltered terrorist Osama bin Laden for a decade while pretending to partner in the war against terrorism, the Indian diplomat said: "Its Ministers have just recently acknowledged that they have been operating terrorist camps for decades. It should come as no surprise that once again, this duplicity continues, this time at the level of its Prime Minister."

"A picture speaks a thousand words," said the Indian diplomat, reminding the UN members about the several pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by the Indian forces. She was referring to India's professional and precise retaliatory action under Operation Sindoor following the terror attacks in J&K that left 26 civilians dead and were traced to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied J&K. 

"When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?" asked Gahlot. 

Till May 9, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India, she stated. "But on May 10, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting. The intervening event was the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by Indian forces. The pictures of that damage are, of course, publicly accessible. If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it," said Gahlot. 

The India-Pakistan ceasefire, at Pakistan's request, was established with effect from 5 pm India time on May 10. 

'The truth is...' 

The truth is that, as in the past, Pakistan is responsible for a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in India, said Gahlot.

"We have exercised the right to defend our people against such actions and have brought the organizers and perpetrators to justice," she said. 

She also told the UN president that if the Pakistan PM is indeed sincere about wanting peace with India, "the pathway is clear", highlighting Sharif's questionable remarks about Pakistan wanting peace with India.

"Pakistan must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and handover to us terrorists wanted in India," she said, adding: "It is also ironic that a country which wallows in hate, bigotry and intolerance should preach to this Assembly on matters of faith. The political and public discourse of Pakistan reflects its true nature. Clearly, a look by them at the mirror is long overdue."

Gahlot also reiterated India's clear stance that it will address issues with Pakistan bilaterally, without any third-party intervention.

India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issue between them will be addressed bilaterally, she said. "There is no room for any third party in that regard. This is our longstanding national position," said Gahlot. 

Stating that India will leave no distinction between the terrorists and their sponsors and that "both will be held accountable", Gahlot said that the nation will also not "allow terrorism to be practised under the cover of nuclear blackmail".

"India will never bow to such threats. India’s message to the world is clear; there must be zero-tolerance for terrorism," she said. 

The United Nations General Assembly debate is an annual gathering of heads of state and government, ministers and advocates from across the world to discuss and explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security and sustainable development. 

The theme for the 2025 edition of the general debate is 'Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights'.

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