India sharply pushed back against remarks made by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), accusing Islamabad of promoting terrorism while attempting to lecture others on regional peace and security.
Responding on behalf of India, First Secretary Petal Gehlot, representing New Delhi at the UN, said Pakistan had once again used an international platform to spread misinformation and divert attention from its own record on terrorism. The rebuttal came shortly after Sharif’s address, in which he criticised India and warned that any diversion of the Indus river system would be considered an “act of war”.
In a strongly worded response, Gehlot stated that Pakistan’s credibility on terrorism remained deeply compromised. Referring to the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan before he was killed by US forces in Abbottabad in 2011, she remarked that the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks had been found “living next door” to Pakistan’s premier military academy.
India also reiterated its long‑standing accusation that Pakistan continues to support cross‑border terrorism. Gehlot warned that such policies carry consequences and stressed that India reserves the right to defend itself against any terrorist threat. She said lasting peace in South Asia would require decisive action against terrorism rather than attempts to justify or overlook it.
The exchange marked the latest chapter in the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbours at international forums. India has consistently maintained that terrorism remains the principal obstacle to normal relations with Pakistan and has urged the international community to hold states accountable for supporting or harbouring extremist groups.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has repeatedly rejected India’s accusations and called for dialogue on outstanding disputes. However, relations remain tense, with disagreements extending beyond security issues to include water sharing, cross‑border violence, and competing narratives at multilateral institutions.
The verbal clash at the UN highlights how sharply divided New Delhi and Islamabad remain despite periodic calls for regional stability and cooperation.