“If a Burnt Hangar is Victory, So Be It”: IFS Officer Petal Gahlot Delivers a Powerful Rebuttal to Shehbaz Sharif at UNGA
In a forceful reply that has reverberated across diplomatic circles worldwide, Petal Gahlot, a young 2015-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, delivered a fearless, fact-driven response to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Speaking as India’s First Secretary at its Permanent Mission to the UN, Gahlot invoked India’s “Right to Reply” and laid bare Pakistan’s duplicity on terrorism.
“If Pakistan Calls a Burnt Hangar a Victory, Let Them”
Countering Sharif’s reference to a damaged Indian airbase, Gahlot offered a searing critique:
“If Pakistan considers a destroyed and burned-out airbase a victory, let them have it,” she said, alluding to publicly available images of minor damage during past skirmishes. “Such claims are nothing more than illusions—much like their denials about harboring terrorism.”
“Terrorism Is the Cornerstone of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy”
Highlighting Pakistan’s consistent support for terror groups, Gahlot cited the April 25, 2025 UN Security Council session, where Pakistan defended The Resistance Front (TRF)—a banned, Pakistan-backed terrorist outfit behind the killing of tourists in Jammu & Kashmir.
“This is the same Pakistan that sheltered Osama bin Laden for years while pretending to fight terrorism,” she asserted. “Its own ministers have admitted that terrorist camps have operated openly on its soil for decades.”
She reaffirmed that India would continue to respond decisively when its citizens are attacked and reminded the forum that “all outstanding issues will be resolved bilaterally, with no scope for third-party involvement.”
Who is Petal Gahlot?
An Academic Powerhouse with an Artistic Soul
Born in New Delhi, Petal Gahlot graduated in Political Science from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and completed her master’s from Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), Delhi University. She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2014 with an All India Rank of 96, joining the IFS in 2015.
Career Highlights:
Assistant Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs
Third & Second Secretary, Indian Embassy in Paris
Counsellor, Indian Consulate, San Francisco
Under Secretary, European West Division, MEA
Current Role: First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India to the UN, New York
She has represented India in several high-level global forums on peace, security, and sustainable development.
The “Guitar Diplomat” – Blending Diplomacy with Creativity
Beyond diplomacy, Gahlot is also a talented guitarist and singer, earning the moniker “Guitar Diplomat.” Her renditions of “Bella Ciao” and “Lost On You” went viral on social media, showcasing a creative side that resonates with young Indians and brings a human touch to diplomacy.
A Rising Star in Indian Diplomacy
Petal Gahlot embodies the new face of Indian diplomacy—bold, articulate, and uncompromising on facts. Her intervention at the UNGA not only reaffirmed India’s firm stance on terrorism but also positioned her as a dynamic voice on the global stage. In an era where young diplomats are reshaping India’s narrative abroad, Gahlot’s performance was a masterclass in confidence, clarity, and conviction.
