India on Friday strongly rebuked Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), describing it as “absurd theatrics” and accusing Islamabad of glorifying terrorism while misrepresenting recent conflicts.
The response came from Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, during the Right of Reply to Sharif’s speech at the General Debate of the 80th session of the UNGA.
“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 reminded member states that Pakistan had a long history of sheltering and supporting terror groups, including giving refuge to Osama bin Laden for nearly a decade.
She accused Islamabad of hypocrisy, noting that even Pakistan’s ministers had admitted to running terrorist camps for decades. “Publicly glorifying and paying homage to terrorists leaves little doubt about the proclivities of this regime,” she added.
Gahlot further countered Sharif’s claims about the recent conflict with India. She asserted that while Pakistan had threatened attacks on May 9, its military “pleaded directly” for a ceasefire the next day after suffering extensive damage to its bases during Indian operations. “Destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars hardly look like a victory, as the Prime Minister of Pakistan tried to project,” she remarked.
Reaffirming India’s stance, Gahlot said that New Delhi would continue to defend its people against cross-border terrorism. “If the Prime Minister of Pakistan truly seeks peace, the path is clear, Pakistan must shut down all terrorist camps and hand over wanted terrorists to India,” she said.
She also stressed that Pakistan had no standing to lecture others on matters of faith given its own record of intolerance and urged Islamabad to reflect on its domestic realities.
Reiterating India’s long-held position, Gahlot said, “India and Pakistan have long agreed that any outstanding issues between them will be addressed bilaterally. There is no room for any third party in this regard. Terrorism cannot be justified under the cover of nuclear blackmail. India will never bow to such threats.”
Earlier in his UNGA speech, Sharif had renewed Pakistan’s criticism of India over Jammu and Kashmir while calling for dialogue. He said Islamabad was prepared for a “composite, comprehensive and result-oriented” engagement with New Delhi.
Sharif also praised former US President Donald Trump, claiming his intervention had helped prevent a larger war between India and Pakistan. “In recognition of President Trump’s wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the least we could do. I think he truly is a man of peace,” Sharif told the Assembly.
