India delivered a pointed response at the United Nations after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised issues including Jammu and Kashmir, democratic rights and minority concerns in his General Assembly address. Exercising India’s right of reply, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot rejected Pakistan’s assertions and accused Islamabad of supporting cross-border terrorism. She also turned the spotlight on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, democracy, religious intolerance and the role of the military in Pakistan’s political system.
At the centre of India’s response was the issue of terrorism. Gahlot described what she called Pakistan’s “long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism” and said India’s right to protect itself against terrorism would continue to be exercised. She warned that, in India’s formulation, terrorism originating from Pakistan would carry consequences.
Gahlot also urged the international community to judge Pakistan on its policies and actions rather than on statements made at the UN. She accused Islamabad of repeatedly projecting what India considers to be misleading narratives and argued that repetition of such claims does not establish their truth.
The Kashmir issue formed another major part of India’s rebuttal. Responding to Pakistan’s references to Jammu and Kashmir, Gahlot reiterated India’s position that the Union Territory is an integral and inalienable part of the country. She subsequently directed attention towards Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, alleging killings, violence and denial of basic rights in the region.
India’s response then moved to Pakistan’s claims concerning democracy and human rights. Gahlot questioned Islamabad’s democratic record and argued that the country’s political system continues to be heavily influenced by its military establishment. She referred to Pakistan’s 27th Amendment and described what she characterised as lifelong immunity for the country’s “real ruler”.
Religious intolerance was another issue raised during the right of reply. Gahlot challenged Pakistan’s references to minority rights by pointing to what she described as the country’s record on religious intolerance, including its blasphemy laws and treatment of minorities.
She also invoked the legacy of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Referring to Osama bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan, Gahlot said the al-Qaeda founder had lived near the Pakistani Army’s premier academy. She further criticised Pakistan’s representative for praising the institution and ended her remarks by referring to the term “Form 47 government”, which she said Pakistanis themselves use.
The exchange underscored the continuing diplomatic divide between India and Pakistan at the United Nations, with both countries using the General Assembly platform to present sharply contrasting positions on terrorism, Kashmir, democracy and minority rights. Gahlot’s intervention constituted India’s formal right of reply to Pakistan’s statements at the General Assembly.
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