At the United Nations, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was effectively reprimanded, receiving a clear and strong response. Since then, Indian diplomat Petal Gahlot has been the subject of intense discussion. Several of her old music videos have gone viral anew on social media.
Who is this young Turk?
She is not merely a diplomat. She is also a singer. When she breaks into song with an open throat, who would believe this girl harbors such fire burning inside her? When her fingers nimbly dance across the guitar strings, one would think this is what she has been doing for years. And her academic brilliance goes without saying. Here is Petal's complete astrological chart.
Petal is the First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Born in Delhi. Bachelor's in political science from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Later, she completed her post-graduation from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. Petal also holds a Master's in Language Interpretation and Translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, United States.
An expert in international relations, Petal joined as First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the UN in 2023. Prior to this, from June 2020 to July 2023, she served as Under Secretary in the European West Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. She has had postings in Paris and San Francisco.
Music is Petal's passion. This is where she finds her breath outside of diplomacy. She is an accomplished guitarist. She shares videos of herself singing and playing guitar on social media. Sometimes it's 'Bella Ciao', other times 'Lost on You', or even 'Kabira'. After her face-to-face rebuttal to Shehbaz, these music videos of hers have gone viral once again.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had attempted to glorify terrorism at the United Nations. He had also attacked India on issues ranging from Kashmir to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. In response, Petal invoked the example of Osama bin Laden's hiding in Pakistan. Reminding him of 'Operation Sundown', she quipped, 'If destroyed runways and burnt hangars are signs of victory, Pakistan is welcome to claim such victories.'
