Terror will have consequences: India rips into Pakistan at UN over Shehbaz Sharifs speech
Gahlot also accused Pakistan of hypocrisy on religious intolerance and human rights. She said Pakistan’s treatment of minorities did not match the claims it made at the UN.
PTC News Desk: India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as a country where the military holds the real power. India also accused Pakistan of using terrorism, misleading statements and double standards to pursue its interests.
India responded after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the UN. First Secretary at India’s UN mission, Petal Gahlot, said there should be no doubt about who controls Pakistan. She said political leaders may change, but the military remains the main power behind the government.
“We heard some hypocritical homilies about democratic rights and human values from a regime whose capital at this very moment is being fortified against its own people. And that, Mr President, is happening because this is a regime of the army, by the army, and for the army,” Gahlot said.
“Their puppets may come and go, but let us have no illusion about who calls the shots,” she added.
Gahlot also accused Pakistan of hypocrisy on religious intolerance and human rights. She said Pakistan’s treatment of minorities did not match the claims it made at the UN.
“This happens just a fortnight after New York City and the world marked the 25th anniversary of the horrendous 9-11 terrorist attack. This context is important to keep in mind because its mastermind, Osama bin Laden, was living right on the doorstep of the Pakistani Army's premier academy,” she said.
India's stand on Kashmir
Responding to Sharif's comments on Jammu and Kashmir, Gahlot repeated India’s position that the Union Territory is an integral and permanent part of India.
She also raised the issue of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), asking the international community to look at the situation there.
Gahlot referred to alleged killings, violence and denial of basic rights in areas such as Rawalakot, saying these issues should also be considered when discussing Kashmir.
What Shehbaz Sharif said
Gahlot's response came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the Kashmir issue during his speech at the UN General Assembly. He also credited US President Donald Trump for his “timely intervention” during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict.
Sharif claimed that Trump's intervention helped prevent the loss of hundreds of millions of lives in South Asia. India has repeatedly rejected the claim that any third party played a role in ending the conflict.
The Pakistan Prime Minister also said that a “just and fair solution” to the Kashmir issue was needed to prevent South Asia from facing another serious conflict.
Sharif also mentioned the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan's efforts to help facilitate talks between the United States and Iran amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
During his speech, Sharif repeatedly praised Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. He credited Munir's “relentless efforts” with helping create an opportunity for diplomatic talks during a difficult period.