At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), India delivered a sharp rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s claims about Operation Sindoor. Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorism, shielding terror outfits, and misrepresenting military losses as victories. India asserted that terrorism remains central to Pakistan’s foreign policy and demanded that Islamabad shut down terror camps and hand over wanted terrorists.
India Exposes Pakistan at the UNGA
India on Saturday strongly countered Pakistan’s narrative at the United Nations General Assembly, calling out what it described as the “absurd theatrics” of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Exercising its right of reply, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot dismissed Mr Sharif’s remarks about “unprovoked aggression” and alleged victories under Operation Sindoor. She underlined that terrorism continues to be the backbone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, despite its repeated attempts to project itself as a peace-seeking nation.
“No degree of drama and no level of lies can conceal the facts,” Ms Gahlot said, noting that Pakistan has a long history of supporting and exporting terrorism across the region.
Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s Claims
During his address at the UNGA, Prime Minister Sharif claimed that Pakistan had repelled Indian attacks earlier this year “with professionalism, bravery, and acumen.” He suggested that the Pakistani armed forces had turned the tide in their favor.
India’s response was swift and direct. Ms Gahlot reminded the assembly that on May 10, Pakistan’s military itself requested a cessation of hostilities. She further pointed out that images of damaged runways and burnt-out hangars in Pakistan stood as proof of the scale of Indian strikes.
“If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars look like victory, as the Prime Minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it,” she remarked.
Terrorism at the Core of Pakistan’s Policy
In her reply, Ms Gahlot highlighted Pakistan’s role in shielding The Resistance Front (TRF), the group responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed several tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. She also recalled Pakistan’s decade-long sheltering of al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, despite claiming to be an ally in the global war on terror.
“Pakistan is long steeped in the tradition of deploying and exporting terrorism,” Ms Gahlot said, adding that India will not allow any distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.
India’s Clear Message: Zero Tolerance for Terrorism
Responding to Mr Sharif’s call for dialogue, India said the path forward was clear: Pakistan must shut down all terror camps and hand over terrorists wanted in India.
“If he is indeed sincere, the pathway is clear. Pakistan must immediately shut down all terrorist camps and hand over to us the terrorists wanted in India,” Ms Gahlot stated.
She further asserted that India will never bow to terrorism under the cover of nuclear threats, sending a strong message to the global community: zero tolerance for terrorism.
Indus Waters Treaty Dispute
Mr Sharif also raised the issue of India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack, describing it as a violation of international law and “an act of war.” He claimed that Pakistan’s 240 million citizens had an inseparable right to the waters.
India, however, has maintained that the suspension was a direct consequence of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and reiterated that no third-party mediation will be accepted on the matter.
Rejecting Third-Party Mediation
In his speech, Mr Sharif thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for “facilitating a ceasefire” between India and Pakistan. India dismissed these claims as misleading, clarifying once again that all issues between the two nations will be resolved bilaterally.
“There is no room for any third party,” Ms Gahlot emphasized.