India launched a sharp attack on Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing Islamabad of using terrorism, deceit and duplicity to pursue its interests. Exercising India’s Right of Reply after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN Petal Gahlot, said there should be no doubt about who holds power 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. 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 referred to Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad, near the Pakistani Army’s premier academy. She remarked while responding to what she called “bizarre remarks” by Pakistan’s representative.

“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.

Gahlot accused Pakistan of hypocrisy over religious intolerance and human rights. She said its treatment of minorities contradicted its claims at the UN.

“The views we heard emanate from those with a long record of bigotry and hatred. They claim to uphold security during the day; they actually carry out terrorism at night,” Gahlot said.

“This Assembly was subjected to remarks about religious intolerance from the very regime whose mainstay is blasphemy laws. The world knows how minorities are treated in Pakistan. No pious platitude can mislead it,” she added.

On Kashmir, Gahlot reiterated India’s position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of the country. She also turned Pakistan’s claims towards Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

“But if we must talk about Kashmir, let us turn our attention to the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Ask the people of Rawalkot about the wanton killings, the brutal violence and the denial of basic rights that they have long experienced,” she said.

Gahlot accused Pakistan of continuing cross-border terrorism and said India would exercise its right to defend itself.

“At the heart of the issue is the long-standing practice of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan,” she said.

“We demonstrated last year that terrorists will 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,” she added.

She also rejected Pakistan’s repeated claims on Kashmir, saying, “Reiterating falsehoods year after year does not make them true. Pakistan's terrorism, deceit and duplicity will neither benefit it nor the world,” she said.

Sharif had raised Kashmir during his UNGA address and credited US President Donald Trump with “timely intervention” during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. India has rejected claims of third-party intervention. Sharif also called for a “just and fair solution” to Kashmir and spoke about the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate talks between Washington and Tehran.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also exchanged sharp words with a Pakistani journalist at the UN headquarters. After the journalist asked, “When will your government stop sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan?”, Jaishankar replied, “A terrorist country is asking me that question. Come on.” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P Harish, then told the journalist, “You have heard your reply. You have heard your response, loud and clear.”