New Delhi: India on September 26 launched a rebuttal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), dismissing his claim of downing seven Indian fighter jets as “absurd theatrics” and accusing Islamabad of glorifying terrorism while sheltering its perpetrators.Responding to Sharif’s remarks in a Right of Reply, First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Petal Gahlot said Pakistan’s leader had resorted to “drama and lies” to conceal his country’s track record of supporting extremist outfits.Earlier in the day, Sharif told the UNGA that Pakistan’s military had destroyed seven Indian jets during May’s conflict, which New Delhi refers to as “Operation Sindoor,” and portrayed the outcome as a military success. India, however, dismissed the claim as a distortion of events.According to Gahlot, Pakistan continued to threaten further strikes until May 9, but changed its position abruptly the next day after suffering heavy damage to its airbases. “On May 10, its military pleaded with us directly for a cessation to the fighting,” she said, adding that images of burnt-out hangars and destroyed runways at multiple bases were in the public domain. “If destroyed runways and burnt-out hangers look like victory, as the prime minister claimed, Pakistan is welcome to enjoy it,” she added.India also linked Pakistan’s narrative at the UN to its wider record of supporting armed groups. Gahlot pointed out that at the UN Security Council in April, Islamabad blocked efforts to hold The Resistance Front responsible for the killing of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. She accused Pakistan of maintaining terrorist camps, citing acknowledgments by its own ministers, and noted that it had provided shelter to al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for years while claiming to be a partner in counterterrorism.“A picture speaks a thousand words and we saw many pictures of terrorists slain in Bahawalpur and Muridke terror complexes by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor. When senior Pakistani military and civilian officials publicly glorify and pay homage to such notorious terrorists, can there be any doubt about the proclivities of this regime?” she asked.India further underlined that all bilateral issues with Pakistan would only be resolved directly between the two countries, rejecting any role for outside mediation. Gahlot added that New Delhi would hold “both terrorists and their sponsors” accountable, warning that India would not be deterred by “nuclear blackmail.”She also responded to Sharif’s assertion that Pakistan wanted peace with India. If Islamabad were serious, she said, the “pathway was clear”, it must shut down terror infrastructure and hand over individuals wanted in India.Gahlot described it as “ironic” that a country “steeped in hate, bigotry and intolerance” was attempting to lecture the UN on matters of faith, saying that Pakistan should first look inward before addressing the international community.Pakistan’s representative also later issued a response to India’s right to reply.In this image received on Sept. 26, 2025, US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House, in Washington, DC, USA. Photo: Via PTI.Sharif had earlier met with the US President Donald trump, along with Pakistan army chief Asim Munir in White House, on Friday. It was also Field Marshal Munir’s second visit to White House this year, following his lunch with Trump a few weeks after the India-Pakistan clashes ended.Sharif’s meeting was the first time that a Pakistani prime minister had a detailed interaction with a US President in six years. The previous Biden administration had kept the Pakistani government at an arm’s length as it warmed up relations with India.According to the statement issued from Pakistan’s side, Sharif appreciated Trump for having helped to “avert a major catastrophe in South Asia”. India has always contested this claim, which has also been made repeatedly by Trump. He also lauded Trump as a “man of peace” and his “bold, courageous and decisive” leadership.“The Prime Minister also extended a warm and cordial invitation to President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan, at his convenience,” the Pakistan PM’s office said.