Who is Petal Gahlot, the UN envoy who ripped apart Pakistan’s propaganda at UNGA

Gahlot was appointed first secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in July, 2023.

Petal Gahlot, First Secretary in India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, delivered a strong rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the UN General Assembly.

On Friday (local time), Gahlot invoked India’s right of reply after Sharif’s speech, accusing him of “once again glorifying terrorism” in front of the global forum.

“Mr President, this assembly witnessed absurd theatrics in the morning from the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who once again glorified terrorism that is so central to their foreign policy,” Gahlot said. She stressed that “no degree of drama” or “level of lies” could conceal the truth.

Citing the example of Operation Sindoor, Gahlot noted that Indian forces had struck terror bases in Bahawalpur and Muridke, yet top Pakistani civilian and military leaders paid homage to the terrorists killed in those operations. “Can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?” she asked, while also rejecting what she described as Sharif’s “bizarre account” of the India-Pakistan conflict.

Clarifying the timeline, she added, “Till 9th May, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on 10th May, the military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting.”

Who is Petal Gahlot?

Gahlot joined India’s UN mission as First Secretary in July 2023. Before that, she served as Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs’ Europe West Division from 2020 to 2023, with assignments at Indian missions in Paris and San Francisco.

Academic journey

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, sociology and French literature from St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a master’s in political science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. She later earned a master’s degree in language interpretation and translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, US.

A creative side

Beyond diplomacy, Gahlot is musically inclined and often shares guitar performances online. Her renditions of the Italian folk anthem Bella Ciao and LP’s Lost on You have gained popularity on social media.