India strongly countered comments made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations, dismissing them as “absurd theatrics” and urging Islamabad to dismantle terror infrastructure and hand over wanted terrorists.
Key Points
- Shehbaz Sharif, in his address at the UN General Assembly, claimed that Pakistan had shot down Indian aircraft during “Operation Sindoor” and portrayed the damage to its military installations as a symbol of victory. He also praised former U.S. President Donald Trump, crediting him with helping mediate the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Sharif called for renewed dialogue between the two nations on outstanding issues.
India’s Rebuttal
- Responding to Sharif’s remarks, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, issued a sharp rebuttal. She described Sharif’s statements as “bizarre” and reminded that images of destroyed runways and burnt hangars clearly contradict Pakistan’s claims of victory.
- Gahlot stated that Pakistan was threatening further escalation until May 9, but on May 10, after Indian strikes on Pakistani air bases, its military reportedly sought a ceasefire.
- India accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorism, noting that senior civilian and military leaders in Pakistan have publicly paid tribute to militants. Gahlot reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and warned that India would hold terrorists and their sponsors accountable, even in the face of “nuclear blackmail.”
- India demanded that Pakistan close all terrorist camps and hand over wanted terrorists, emphasizing that any dialogue must take place bilaterally and not through third-party mediation.
Background
- “Operation Sindoor” refers to India’s strikes in May 2025 on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people. During the same UN session, Pakistan attempted to defend The Resistance Front (TRF), a group India blames for the Pahalgam attack.
- India also recalled that during a UN Security Council meeting in April 2025, Pakistan blocked attempts to hold TRF accountable.
Conclusion
India reiterated its firm stance that peace talks cannot move forward until Pakistan takes visible and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism and stops supporting terror groups operating from its soil.
