New York/New Delhi: In yet another powerful rebuttal at the global stage, Ambassador Yojna Patel, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, strongly countered Pakistan’s attempts to politicize terrorism during the launch of the Victims of Terrorism Association Network (VoTAN).
Responding to Pakistan’s remarks over the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Ms Patel called out Islamabad for misusing international platforms and reminded the global community of Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s “open confession” regarding support to terrorist organizations.
“It’s unfortunate that one particular delegation has chosen to misuse and undermine this forum to indulge in propaganda and make baseless allegations against India,” she said in her address, firmly labeling Pakistan as a “rogue state.”
Ms Patel minced no words in branding Pakistan a “rogue nation” that destabilizes the entire South Asian region. She highlighted the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 innocent lives were lost – marking it as the deadliest attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai carnage.
“This is the largest number of people killed in a terrorist attack in India after the 2008 Mumbai attacks,” she said, reinforcing India’s long-standing position as a victim of cross-border terrorism.
A Diplomat with Decades of Experience
Ambassador Ms Patel is no stranger to multilateral diplomacy. A seasoned officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) batch of 2000, she brings over 23 years of diplomatic experience. She holds a Postgraduate degree in English Literature, is fluent in several Indian languages and Russian, and is known for her clarity and assertiveness on international platforms.
Before her current assignment at the UN (since August 2023), she played a key role in India’s strategic regional diplomacy as Joint Secretary and National Coordinator for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the Ministry of External Affairs (2020–2023).
A Globally Seasoned Career
Ms Patel’s diplomatic journey has taken her across key global postings-
- Russia (Moscow & St. Petersburg)
- Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek)
- France (UNESCO, Paris)
- Ukraine (Kyiv)
- Again in Moscow as Deputy Chief of Mission
Her multilateral experience includes significant engagements at SAARC, UNESCO, and the SCO, strengthening India’s influence across Eurasia and multilateral institutions.
A Personal Note
Ambassador Ms Patel is a mother of two. She was married to the late Pradeep Kumar Patel, and despite personal loss, continues to serve the nation with distinction and resolve.
With her sharp diplomatic instincts and powerful voice at the UN, Ms Patel has once again demonstrated India’s unwavering stance against terrorism and propaganda – and reinforced the nation’s credibility on the world stage.
Pakistan is Being Cornered on Terrorism
The Pahalgam attack, now believed to be linked to terror outfits operating from Pakistani soil, has intensified international scrutiny. In a startling confession during an interview, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that his country had nurtured terrorism under pressure from the West and the U.S. This admission has strengthened India’s position as it continues to expose Pakistan’s duplicity on global platforms. With mounting evidence and diplomatic pressure, Pakistan finds itself increasingly isolated over its role in sponsoring terror.
In her remarks at UN, Ms Patel began without naming Pakistan directly but stated pointedly that a particular delegation was “misusing this platform” to spread propaganda and baseless allegations against India. She also expressed gratitude to the UN and international partners for their support following the Pahalgam tragedy.
“India will never forget the victims of terrorism and will make every possible effort to get them justice,” she added.
