UNITED NATIONS: Delivering a blistering rejoinder at the United Nations General Assembly, India slammed Pakistan as a "puppet" regime, tearing into its long-standing history of falsehoods, deceit, and cross-border terrorism. New Delhi firmly warned Islamabad that any future acts of terror will invite direct consequences.

Exercising India's Right of Reply, Petal Gahlot, First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN, dismantled the rhetoric presented by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif had earlier used the global platform to rake up the Kashmir issue and comment on regional dynamics.

Calling out the hypocritical posturing from Islamabad, Gahlot highlighted the domestic state of affairs in Pakistan. “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,” Gahlot stated. “And that…is happening because this is a regime of the army, by the army, and for the army. Their puppets may come and go, but let us have no illusion who calls the shots.”

She further drew attention to Pakistan's domestic legislation, noting that the reality of the nation's power structure is embedded in amendments granting lifelong legal immunity to its military leadership. "Reiterating falsehoods year after year does not make them true. Pakistan's terrorism, deceit and duplicity will neither benefit it nor the world," she added.

Addressing Sharif's remarks on Kashmir, India reiterated that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of the country and will always remain so. New Delhi turned the spotlight back on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), pointing out the widespread local protests, severe crackdowns by security forces, and deep-seated public discontent over rigged legislative processes.

Emphasizing India's zero-tolerance stance toward security threats, Gahlot reminded the assembly of New Delhi's demonstrated capability to protect its borders and citizens. Highlighting the outcomes of decisive counter-terror measures taken previously, she asserted that terrorists have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.

“Our right to defend ourselves against terrorism will be exercised. And continued terrorism by Pakistan will have consequences,” Gahlot warned, emphasizing that Islamabad's duplicity undermines any environment premised on regional friendship and goodwill. India concluded by stating that the international community must see through Pakistan's facade, as platitudes and bigotry can no longer mask its active sponsorship of terror.

WION's UNGA coverage on India and Pakistan

This video provides additional context and visual analysis regarding India's strong diplomatic counter-offensives and exposure of Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism at the United Nations General Assembly.